self-executing

American  

[self-ek-si-kyoo-ting, self-] / ˌsɛlfˈɛk sɪˌkju 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

See Examples For:

self-executing

Yet its authority is not self-executing: It relies on lower courts to implement its decisions, extend their logic, and normalize the resulting excesses.

From Slate ● Jul. 17, 2026

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

This is a fine legal quibble, stated for a purpose; but since legal minds disagree upon this point, a caviller might say no law is self-executing; all laws require enforcement.

From History of Woman Suffrage, Volume II by Stanton, Elizabeth Cady