gag order

American  

[gag awr-der] / ˈgæg ˌɔr dər /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of gag order

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

He blabs so much about the trial at his daily press conferences that the judge hands down a gag order.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

In a lawsuit earlier this year, the Justice Department based its decision to deny the release of Volume II based on Cannon’s gag order.

From Salon • Sep. 30, 2025

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

From BBC • Jul. 22, 2025

How was the gag order for law enforcement and other key people close to the case a challenge in telling your story?

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 11, 2025

Americans, not bound by the gag order, began posting accounts of the trial — which any Canadian with a Net account could promptly read.

From Big Dummy's Guide to the Internet by Electronic Frontier Foundation