enact

verb

en·​act i-ˈnakt How to pronounce enact (audio)
enacted; enacting; enacts

transitive verb

1
: to establish by legal and authoritative act
specifically : to make into law
enact a bill
2
: act out
enact a role
enactor noun

Examples of enact in a Sentence

Congress will enact legislation related to that issue. The law was finally enacted today.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Last October, unprecedented drought conditions over several months led Connecticut to enact a statewide burn ban as crews battled wildfires throughout the state. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025 Roosevelt scored an overwhelming victory, providing a clear mandate to enact major changes and to unleash government power to address the Depression. Justin Peck / Made By History, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025 The president has enacted his sweeping tariff agenda in a piecemeal fashion, a strategy that has been punctuated by uncertainty, including delays, reversals and changes in direction. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025 In recent years, the state has paid down more than $8 billion in pension debt because of the fiscal policies that have been enacted. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enact

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enact was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enact. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

enact

verb
en·​act in-ˈakt How to pronounce enact (audio)
1
: to make (as a bill) into law
enact legislation
2
: to act out
enact a scene from a play
enactor noun

Legal Definition

enact

transitive verb
en·​act i-ˈnakt How to pronounce enact (audio)
: to establish by legal and authoritative act : make into law
enact a bill

More from Merriam-Webster on enact

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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