executive order

noun

(often initial capital letters)

1. an order having the force of law issued by the president of the U.S. to the army, navy, or other part of the executive branch of the government.

Word History and Origins

Origin of executive order¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

In March, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order streamlining the approval process for these projects.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The president signed an executive order creating the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency out of the Obama-era U.S.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Republican leader signed an executive order at the end of August to promote "classical" architecture, inspired by ancient Rome and Greece.

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His executive order Wednesday also instructed the U.S.

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His proposals for pharmaceutical tariffs and a May executive order calling for “most favored nation” pricing—whereby the U.S. government pays the same as the lowest prices for drugs that other wealthy countries pay—eventually brought pharmaceutical companies to the negotiating table like never before.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal