decree

IPA/dɪˈkriː/
KK[dɪkrˈi]IPA/dɪˈkriː/

decree — noun

  • decreesingular
  • decreesplural

1. A written or spoken instruction from a ruler, government, or other governing bod

1.nounB2
Definition

A written or spoken instruction from a ruler, government, or other governing body that people must follow because it carries the force of law.

Example

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

Common collocations
  • issue a decree
  • pass a decree
  • sign a decree
  • presidential decree
  • emergency decree
  • royal decree
  • by decree
  • decree ordering something
Synonyms
  • 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.

Usage Note

Frequently preceded by a verb like 'issue,' 'pass,' or 'sign' that describes how the decree is created.

Common Mistakes

The government made a decree about the new policy.
The government issued a decree about the new policy.
'issue a decree' is the standard collocation, not 'make a decree.'
The CEO's decree said we must work on Sunday.
The CEO ordered us to work on Sunday.
'decree' is reserved for governments, courts, or sovereign rulers, not company managers.

2. A formal ruling handed down by a judge or court that resolves a legal dispute an

2.nounC1
Definition

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.

Example

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.

Common collocations
  • court decree
  • divorce decree
  • final decree
  • probate decree
  • judge's decree
  • decree ordering something
Synonyms
  • 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.

Usage Note

In legal contexts, a decree often refers to a judgment in equity or probate court, distinct from a jury verdict in a criminal trial.

Common Mistakes

The jury gave a decree of guilty.
The jury returned a verdict of guilty.
A jury delivers a verdict; a judge issues a decree.

decree — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to a command issued by an authority, but they differ in scope and formality. A 'decree' is a formal order with the force of law, typically issued by a government, monarch, or court. An 'edict' is similar but strongly associated with historical or royal contexts — one might read about an emperor's edict but not a modern city council's edict. A 'proclamation' is a public announcement meant to inform people of a decision, though it may not carry the same binding legal weight as a decree. An 'order' is the broadest and most everyday term; anyone with authority (a parent, a manager, a general) can give an order. A 'mandate' carries the sense of an authoritative instruction or requirement, often from a governing body to enforce a new policy. In practice: 'The king issued a decree banning the use of foreign currency' sounds natural, while 'The principal issued an order banning phones in class' sounds more natural than 'The principal issued a decree.'

edict ↗proclamationorder ↗mandate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • by royal decree
  • under the terms of the decree
  • as decreed by law
  • force of decree

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'decree' entered English through Old French 'decret', which came from the Latin 'decretum', meaning 'something decided' or 'a formal decision.' The Latin root 'decernere' combines 'de-' (away from, down) and 'cernere' (to separate, decide), literally meaning 'to decide by separating from alternatives.' The word has carried its association with authoritative legal and governmental decisions since the Middle Ages.