English vocabulary · C1
Decree
/dɪˈkriː/ · n., v.
A decree is an official order issued by a ruler, government, or court that must be obeyed.
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Example sentences
- The king decreed a day of mourning.
- The court issued a decree protecting the land.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- decretum — decision (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- ORDER — a command to follow (A Command To Follow)
- EDICT — an official public command (An Official Public Command)
- RULING — a formal legal decision (A Formal Legal Decision)
Similar words
- order
- edict
- ruling
- mandate
- proclamation
Lesson notes
A decree is an official order issued by a ruler, government, or court that must be obeyed.
Related: order, edict, ruling. Use decree when an authority formally commands or decides something.
The king decreed a day of mourning. The court issued a decree protecting the land.
From Latin. Decretum means decision. Latin decretum became Anglo-French decre, then English decree. An authority's formal decision is a decree.