1
: an order usually having the force of law
a judicial decree
by royal decree
2
b
: a foreordaining will
God's decree
3
a
: a judicial decision of the Roman emperor
b
: a judicial decision especially in an equity (see equity sense 3a) court or probate court
decreed; decreeing
2
: to determine or order judicially
decree a punishment
Examples of decree in a Sentence
Noun
The President issued a decree making the day a national holiday.
Their marriage was annulled by judicial decree.
Verb
The government decreed a national holiday.
The change was decreed by the President.
The City Council has decreed that all dogs must be kept on a leash.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
Last October, one of Khamenei’s senior advisers asserted that if Israel attacks Iran’s nuclear sites, the supreme leader might reconsider his earlier decrees outlawing the development and use of weapons of mass destruction.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2025
That year, the magazine decreed that the best brisket in Texas was being served in the hamlet of Lexington, at Snow’s, a humble spot whose smoked meats were overseen by a no-nonsense seventy-three-year-old pitmaster named Miss Tootsie.
—Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decree
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Noun
Very little of what Musk says, what the government has said in court cases challenging many of his decrees, and what federal agencies have actually done overlap.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
Last October, one of Khamenei’s senior advisers asserted that if Israel attacks Iran’s nuclear sites, the supreme leader might reconsider his earlier decrees outlawing the development and use of weapons of mass destruction.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
In order to acknowledge the horrors of LA’s monumentally destructive fires, the Academy decreed that none of the five Best Song nominees will be performed.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2025
That year, the magazine decreed that the best brisket in Texas was being served in the hamlet of Lexington, at Snow’s, a humble spot whose smoked meats were overseen by a no-nonsense seventy-three-year-old pitmaster named Miss Tootsie.
—Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decree
Cite this Entry
“Decree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decree. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decree
1 of 2 noun
de·cree
di-ˈkrē 
: an order or decision given by one in authority
decree
2 of 2 verb
decreed; decreeing
: to command or order by decree
Legal Definition
decree
noun
de·cree
di-ˈkrē
1
: an order having the force of law
by judicial decree
2
: a judicial decision especially in an equity or probate court
—
consent decree
: a decree entered by a court that is determined by the parties' agreement : a settlement between the parties that is subject to judicial approval and supervision
specifically
: such a decree by which the accused agrees to cease alleged illegal activities without admitting guilt
—
decree nisi
decrees nisi
: a provisional decree that will become final unless cause is shown why it should not
Note: Some states grant divorces using decrees nisi. The decree nisi creates a time period (as of 3 months) allowing for possible reconciliation or for completion of various arrangements (as custody).
—
decree pro confesso
: a decree entered by a court based on a defendant's default and the presumption that the allegations are confessed compare default judgment at judgment sense 1a
—
final decree
: a decree that disposes of an action by determining all matters in dispute including especially the parties' rights compare final judgment at judgment sense 1a
—
interlocutory decree
: a decree that is made during the course of an action and that does not settle all matters in dispute
decree
verb
Etymology
Noun
Old French decré, from Latin decretum, from neuter of decretus, past participle of decernere to decide
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