executive order

noun

Examples of executive order in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In his executive order, Trump echoes these perceptions of threat, painting a picture of embattlement for Christians. Michael Pasek, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025 The White House issued an executive order that allows for commercial fishing within the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, a nearly 500,000 square mile area — double the size of the state of Texas — in the central Pacific Ocean. Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025 What to Know Trump had issued an executive order in January declaring a border emergency and requesting a report from Hegseth and Noem within 90 days. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025 Trump signs an executive order intended to lower prescription drug prices. Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for executive order

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of executive order was in 1862

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Cite this Entry

“Executive order.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executive%20order. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Legal Definition

executive order

noun
: an order issued by a government's executive on the basis of authority specifically granted to the executive branch (as by the U.S. Constitution or a congressional act)
the National Security Agency was created by an executive order
compare proclamation, statute

Note: An executive order from the president does not have the force of law until it is printed in the Federal Register.

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