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

Under the current gag order, the documents are exempt from Freedom of Information Act requests.

From Salon

A gag order in the case prevented those close to the investigation from speaking out.

From BBC

Was that due to the law enforcement gag order?

From Los Angeles Times

The judge went on to approve the request, saying the gag order had been repeatedly violated.

From BBC

This comes on top of a communications gag order preventing its scientists from sharing any new findings — from new insights in cancer treatment to potential new pandemics like Ebola — with the public.

From Salon