fiat

noun

fi·​at ˈfē-ət 

-ˌat,

-ˌät;

ˈfī-ət,

-ˌat 

1

: an authoritative or arbitrary order : decree

government by fiat

2

: an authoritative determination : dictate

a fiat of conscience

3

: a command or act of will that creates something without or as if without further effort

According to the Bible, the world was created by fiat.

Synonyms

• bull
• decree
• diktat
• directive
• edict
• rescript
• ruling
• ukase

Examples of fiat in a Sentence

He runs the company by fiat.

the school principal issued a fiat that caps were not to be worn inside the school, and that was that

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike fiat currencies such as the U.S. dollar (USD) and the euro (EUR), which can theoretically be expanded without limit, Bitcoin follows a strict halving cycle, reducing new issuance by half every four years. —Jon Helgi Egilsson, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

Many central banks have also been stockpiling their gold reserves as their fiat currencies continue to lose purchasing power. —Marc Guberti, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025

The result is regular constitutional scuffles over the extent of the president’s authority, attempts by presidents from both parties to more or less rule by fiat, and threats by the opposition to impeach sitting presidents. —Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2025

These novel digital assets are designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to another asset, such as a fiat currency like the U.S. dollar or a commodity. —Nina Bambysheva, Forbes, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, let it be done, 3rd singular present subjunctive of fieri to become, be done — more at be

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing fiat

• fiat money

Kids Definition

fiat

noun

fi·​at ˈfē-ət  -at 

-ät;

ˈfī-ət,

-at

: an order from someone in charge

Legal Definition

fiat

noun

fi·​at ˈfē-ˌät, -ˌat, -ət; ˈfī-ˌat 

1

: decree

2

: an authoritative but arbitrary order

a brazen act of judicial fiat

—L. H. Tribe