order in council

British

noun

(in Britain and various other Commonwealth countries) a decree of the Cabinet, usually made under the authority of a statute: in theory a decree of the sovereign and Privy Council

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He read the order in council proclaiming the new monarch to the public in both English and French, ending with, “Long live the King!”

From Reuters • Sep. 10, 2022

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon signed an order in council proclaiming the new sovereign after a Cabinet meeting.

From Reuters • Sep. 10, 2022

“This means that the order in council to which it led was also unlawful, void and of no effect and should be quashed.”

From The Guardian • Sep. 28, 2019

The Queen can make certain laws by an order in council.

From Time Magazine Archive

The opinion of Sir Francis Bacon was sought in the matter, and on it an order in council was founded, 26th March, 1617.

From Smeaton and Lighthouses A Popular Biography, with an Historical Introduction and Sequel by Smeaton, John

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023