executive order

American  

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of executive order

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

Before Paul Weiss reached the deal, Shanmugam had been leading preparations to fight the executive order in court.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The executive order and Kennedy declaration both define gender-affirming care as the use of puberty blockers, hormone treatment, and surgery.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

Five days ago, Trump signed an executive order intended to boost access to psychedelic drugs for medical treatment.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

The biopharmaceutical company and its smaller peers were benefiting from President Donald Trump’s executive order Saturday fast-tracking the regulatory review of certain psychedelic drugs.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

In 1969, President Richard M. Nixon signed an executive order that outlawed the development of offensive biological weapons in the United States.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston