gag order

[ gag awr-der ]

noun

, Law.

1. a court order banning reporters, attorneys, and other parties involved in a case being tried in a court of law from reporting on or publicly disclosing anything relating to the case.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gag order¹

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Defense attorney Christopher Zampogna, who represents Zabavsky, declined to comment in an email, citing a gag order issued by the court.

From Washington Post

During his trial, he was under a gag order, and since he’s been incarcerated, he has been extremely limited in his ability to speak to the public.

From Time

In 2012, at the request of lawyers for the indicted ticket-fixing officers, a Bronx judge issued a gag order blocking the list from being publicly distributed.

From ProPublica

They obtained a gag order against the defendant and his lawyers restricting what they could say about the case for several months.

From The Daily Beast

There was initially a gag order on the story in the newspapers.

From The Daily Beast

Those who were cured, who are currently under a gag order due to the pending court case, say Vannoni saved their lives.

From The Daily Beast

He slapped a gag order on Don and Dan, all witnesses, and all investigators.

From The Daily Beast

Under existing rules, only authorized biographies escape the gag order, a restriction that severely downgrades the genre.

From The Daily Beast