executive order

American

noun

(often initial capital letters)

an order having the force of law issued by the president of the U.S. to the army, navy, or other part of the executive branch of the government.

Etymology

Origin of executive order

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

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.

A year earlier, President Dwight D. Eisenhower had issued an executive order mandating equal opportunities for all citizens in federal offices.

From The Wall Street Journal

Discussions about the potential executive order have alarmed banks, some of the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Raising the rate could be done by signing another executive order and filing with the federal register.

From Barron's

Discussions about the potential executive order have alarmed banks in recent days, some of the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Just hours after last week's ruling, the president signed an executive order to impose the new levy from 24 February.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023