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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.


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

"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

Etymology

Origin of self-executing

First recorded in 1865–70

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.

The justices may also have to decide whether the language of the amendment is "self-executing" - that is, whether it was not necessary for Congress to pass accompanying legislation to give the amendment teeth.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2024

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 ruling declared the green amendment self-executing, meaning it does not depend on additional legislation to go into effect.

From Salon • Feb. 21, 2023

The government will also review property rights for tokenised assets and explore legalising so-called smart contracts - self-executing transactions whose results depend on pre-programmed inputs.

From Reuters • Oct. 31, 2022

I have always contended that reciprocity treaties, like other treaties in general, are self-executing, if by their terms they do not provide for legislative action.

From Fifty Years of Public Service by Cullom, Shelby M.

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