dictate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to say or read (something) aloud for another person to transcribe or for a machine to record.
to dictate some letters to a secretary.
-
to prescribe or lay down authoritatively or peremptorily; command unconditionally.
to dictate peace terms to a conquered enemy.
verb (used without object)
-
to say or read aloud something to be written down by a person or recorded by a machine.
-
to give orders.
noun
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an authoritative order or command.
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a guiding or governing principle, requirement, etc..
to follow the dictates of one's conscience.
- Synonyms:
- bidding
verb
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to say (messages, letters, speeches, etc) aloud for mechanical recording or verbatim transcription by another person
-
(tr) to prescribe (commands) authoritatively
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(intr) to act in a tyrannical manner; seek to impose one's will on others
noun
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an authoritative command
-
a guiding principle or rule
the dictates of reason
Other Word Forms
- dictatingly adverb
- misdictated adjective
- predictate verb (used with object)
- redictate verb
- undictated adjective
Etymology
Origin of dictate
First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin dictātus “said repeatedly,” past participle of dictāre “to say repeatedly, order, prescribe,” from dīcere “to say, speak, tell”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Iran’s Constitution dictates a new leader would be selected by an Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 clerics.
From Los Angeles Times
NGOs have complained about their staff being detained, assets confiscated, work permits delayed, and their work dictated by the Houthis' agenda.
From BBC
So much of the machinery which provides either a successful or unsuccessful season could be dictated by everyone apart from the coach.
From BBC
Even though tradition dictates only a man can carry on the imperial line -- which goes back 2,600 years according to legend -- opinion polls have shown high public support for a woman taking the throne.
From Barron's
Writing mediums composed original work dictated by dead authors, among them Shakespeare, Shelley, and Poe.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
