self-executing

American  

[self-ek-si-kyoo-ting, self-] / ˌsɛlfˈɛk sɪˌkyu tɪŋ, ˈsɛlf- /

adjective

1. going into effect immediately without the need of supplementary legislation.

   a self-executing treaty.

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self-executing British  

adjective

1. (of a law, treaty, or clause in a deed or contract, etc) coming into effect automatically at a specified time, no legislation or other action being needed for enforcement

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Etymology

Origin of self-executing

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

We just talked about these lines in the law, and how the lines don’t matter if people don’t observe them, that they’re not self-executing.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2025

Importantly, the Supreme Court in 1883 declared that the 14th Amendment is “undoubtedly self-executing without any ancillary legislation.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2024

The article similarly notes that Section 3 is "self-executing, operating as an immediate disqualification from office."

From Salon • Aug. 11, 2023

On that, her key argument is that a referendum would not be "self-executing" - it would be advisory, and the law would not trigger any particular outcome after the vote.

From BBC • Oct. 12, 2022

In view of the attitude that courts have generally taken in this matter it is not surprising that the supreme court of Washington has intimated that the above-mentioned constitutional provisions are not self-executing.

From The Spirit of American Government A Study Of The Constitution: Its Origin, Influence And Relation To Democracy by Smith, J. Allen (James Allen)