ENGLISH
REFERENCE

decree

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //dɪˈkɹi// UK //dɪkɹˈiː// de·cree

n. an official order or decision made by a person in power, like a king or a government. It has the force of law and must be followed.

n. an official order issued by a legal or religious authority that carries the force of law. Often associated with executive or monarchical power rather than legislative debate.


SIMPLE

The king issued a decree to lower taxes.

CONTEXTUAL

The new government passed a decree that all citizens must register their primary residence by the end of the month.

COMPLEX

Historians argue that the sudden imperial decree changed the social fabric of the region more effectively than decades of gradual cultural exchange ever could.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English decre, decree, from Old French decré (French décret), from Latin dēcrētum.

Usage

Often used with the verb 'issue' or 'pass'.

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