precept
Americannoun
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a commandment or direction given as a rule of action or conduct.
- Synonyms:
- prescription, instruction, guide, order, directive
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an injunction as to moral conduct; maxim.
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a procedural directive or rule, as for the performance of some technical operation.
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Law.
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a writ or warrant.
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a written order issued pursuant to law, as a sheriff's order for an election.
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noun
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a rule or principle for action
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a guide or rule for morals; maxim
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a direction, esp for a technical operation
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law
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a writ or warrant
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a written order to a sheriff to arrange an election, the empanelling of a jury, etc
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(in England) an order to collect money under a rate
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Etymology
Origin of precept
1300–50; Middle English < Latin praeceptum piece of advice, rule, noun use of neuter of praeceptus, past participle of praecipere to direct, foresee, literally, to take beforehand, equivalent to prae- pre- + -cep-, combining form of capere to take + -tus past participle suffix
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.
In a sprawling nation founded on the precept of individual liberty and populated primarily by immigrants from around the world, there was hardly one American experience.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026
Police budgets are made up of funding from both central government and local government and the increase assumes a rise in the police council tax precept, Treasury documents suggest.
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2025
From them, he says, he internalized the feminist precept that “the personal is political.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2024
Mr Arscott confirmed this upcoming year's budget and the precept, the amount of money households pay the council each year, was eventually agreed in a private, closed session.
From BBC • Jan. 18, 2024
“Oh look, a Mr. Browne precept!” she said, pointing to a cutout of Mr. Browne’s September precept.
From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
