# writ

/ˈɹɪt/ (US) · /ɹˈɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/writ
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. legal order

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

an official document from a court that tells someone they must do something or stop doing something.

For teachers: a formal written document, issued in the name of a court or other legal authority, commanding the addressee to perform or cease a specific act.

- The court issued a writ to stop the company from building on the protected land.
- The high court issued a writ of habeas corpus, requiring the authorities to bring the prisoner before a judge to determine the legality of their detention.

Usage: Often used with the verb 'serve' or 'issue'.

### 2. authority or power

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

the power or authority that a person or organization has to make people obey.

For teachers: the extent of one's power, authority, or jurisdiction to enforce compliance or influence events.

- The king's power was weak, and his writ did not run in the far north of the country.
- In the lawless border regions, the central government's writ barely runs, leaving local warlords to dictate their own terms of trade.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'where someone's writ runs'.

### 3. election order

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Formal

a formal document that officially starts an election process.

For teachers: a formal document issued by a head of state or administrative body directing that an election be held.

- The Prime Minister is expected to drop the writ for a general election next week.
- Once the writ is issued, the formal campaign period begins and the date for the national vote is set in stone.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'drop the writ' or 'issue the writ'.

## Examples

- The court issued a writ to stop the construction.
- The lawyers filed a writ of habeas corpus to challenge the prisoner's detention in court.
- The high court granted a writ of mandamus, effectively forcing the government agency to perform its statutory duty after months of administrative paralysis.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.