a formal and authoritative order, esp. one having the force of law

a presidential decree.

Law . a judicial decision or order.

Theology . one of the eternal purposes of God, by which events are foreordained.

to command, ordain, or decide by decree.

noun

act , announcement , behest , bidding , charge , charging , command , commandment , declaration , decretum , dictum , direction , directive , edict , enactment , injunction , instruction , judgment , law , order , ordinance , precept , prescript , proclamation , promulgation , pronouncement , rap * , regulation , rule , ruling , say , statute , the riot act , the word , ukase , canon , institute , prescription , determination , decretal , enjoin , fiat , mandate , ordain , pronunciamento , rescript.--v. enact

verb

announce , command , compel , constrain , decide , declare , demand , determine , dictate , enact , force , impose , lay down the law , oblige , ordain , prescribe , proclaim , pronounce , put one’s foot down , read the riot act , require , rule , set , fix , lay down , adjudge , adjudicate , arbitrate , referee , umpire , act , announcement , appoint , authorize , canon , decision , dictum , directive , edict , enactment , fiat , indict , irade , judgment , law , mandate , order , ordinance , proclamation , regulation , sentence , statute , tenet , ukase