décret
/de.kʁɛ/masculine
The English word decree is translated into French as décret.
Décret is a formal noun used to refer to an official order or an edict issued by an authority. The related verb décréter means to command or issue something by a decree.
Meaning: edict or law (noun)
Which one should you use?
While the French word loi refers to a general law passed by a legislature, décret specifically denotes an administrative act or an edict issued by an executive power. Other formal terms for decree include arrêté, which typically denotes a regulatory measure established by an administrative authority and ordonnance, which is used in legal contexts to refer to a ruling or order issued by a judge or a court.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Décret is a masculine noun. Its plural form is décrets.
How do you pronounce it?
/de.kʁɛ/ (2 syllables)
Did you know?
- The related verb décréter can be used metaphorically in everyday French to describe someone acting like a tyrant. To say someone décrète a rule implies they are being overly authoritarian or arbitrary.
- In French politics, a décret présidentiel can sometimes bypass the usual legislative process to implement immediate changes. This gives the word a much more potent, almost 'rule-by-decree' connotation than one might expect in a democracy.
- The English word 'decree' and the French décret are linguistic cousins, both descending from the Latin word 'decretum', which means 'something decided'.
Examples in context
- Poutine a signé un décret portant sur la nomination d'un nouveau gouvernement.Putin signed a decree about the appointment of a new government.This sentence shows how to use décret in the context of a government official signing an official document.Tatoeba #10490763 by lbdx, translation #9386502 by Nylez
- Le décret présidentiel a été publié aujourd'hui.The presidential decree was published today.
- Le préfet a signé un arrêté pour renforcer la sécurité routière.The prefect signed a decree to enhance road safety.
- Le juge a émis une ordonnance pour interdire la publication de certaines informations.The judge issued a decree to prohibit the publication of certain information.
- Le maire a pris un arrêt concernant les horaires d'ouverture des magasins.The mayor made a decree regarding store opening hours.
- Le président a signé un nouveau décret.The president signed a new decree.
- Ce décret change les règles du jeu.This decree changes the rules of the game.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a new government regulation at work.
- GabrielTu as lu le dernier décret ?Have you read the latest decree?
- LéaNon, est-ce que c'est important pour nous ?No, is it important for us?
- GabrielOui, ce décret affecte notre secteur.Yes, this decree affects our sector.
- LéaJe vais vérifier ça tout de suite.I will check that right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “decree” translations and entries décret, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries décret, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
