decree
/dɪˈkriː/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈkriː/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈkrē/ (ame, mw)
decree — noun
- decreesingular
- decreesplural
1. A written or spoken instruction from a ruler, government, or other governing bod
A written or spoken instruction from a ruler, government, or other governing body that people must follow because it carries the force of law.
The king issued a decree ordering farmers to pay a new grain tax by spring.
collocation: issue a decree
After the revolution, the interim government passed a decree banning all political gatherings in the capital.
collocation: pass a decree
Under the emergency decree, the military took control of all major ports and national highways.
President Okafor signed a decree that increased the minimum wage for all public school teachers.
By royal decree, the old market square was renamed after the late queen.
- edict
Strongly associated with monarchs or ancient rulers; more formal and historical in tone.
- proclamation
Often an official public announcement rather than a binding law; may not carry legal force.
- order
Broader and less formal; can be issued by anyone in authority, not just a government.
用法筆記
Frequently preceded by a verb like 'issue,' 'pass,' or 'sign' that describes how the decree is created.
常見錯誤
2. A formal ruling handed down by a judge or court that resolves a legal dispute an
A formal ruling handed down by a judge or court that resolves a legal dispute and sets out the obligations or rights of the people involved.
The divorce decree gave custody of both children to the mother with monthly child support.
collocation: divorce decree
A court decree ordered the company to pay three million dollars for polluting the local river.
Under the probate decree, the Watanabe family inherited their grandfather's entire house and land.
The Supreme Court issued a final decree that declared the controversial voting law unconstitutional.
The judge's decree required the company to fully compensate every affected homeowner.
- judgment
A broader term covering any court decision; 'decree' is more specific to equity or probate cases.
- ruling
Can refer to any judicial decision on a particular issue, not necessarily the final resolution of the case.
- order
A directive from a court that may be procedural rather than a final settlement of the case.
用法筆記
In legal contexts, a decree often refers to a judgment in equity or probate court, distinct from a jury verdict in a criminal trial.
常見錯誤
decree — verb
- decreepresent simple I / you / we / they
- decrees3rd person singular
- decreeing-ing form
- decreedpast simple
1. To officially order or decide that something must happen, using the authority of
To officially order or decide that something must happen, using the authority of a ruler, government, court, or other high authority.
The emperor decreed that all foreign merchants must leave the capital within thirty days.
decree + that-clause for ordering an action
After the earthquake, the mayor decreed a mandatory evacuation within two kilometres of the coast.
decree + direct object (noun phrase)
The council decreed that no new buildings could be taller than five stories in the historic district.
It was decreed by the Supreme Court that the company must pay full compensation to all affected workers.
A new law was decreed that changed the voting age from twenty-one to eighteen across the entire country.
- command
Broader and less legal; can be used for military or personal authority, not only governments.
- order
Everyday word for telling someone to do something; lacks the official, legal weight of 'decree.'
- ordain
More formal and often carries a religious or fate-related tone; less common in modern legal language.
文法句型
decree + that-clause
be decreed by + authority
decree + noun phrase
用法筆記
Subject is usually a single ruler, a government body, or a court. The verb is rarely used about individuals in everyday life — 'order' or 'decide' are more natural for non-official situations.