noun

mandate

MAN-dayt

noun

An official order, command, or authorization to carry out a particular action.

"The court issued a mandate requiring the company to pay damages."

The authority given to an elected leader or government by voters to pursue a policy.

"The president claimed a strong mandate for tax reform after the election."

"Without a clear mandate, the new policy faced fierce opposition."

verb

To officially require something, or to give someone the authority to do it.

"The law mandates that all new buildings include wheelchair access."

How to Use Mandate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn official command, or the authority/permission to carry out an action, often granted through an election.

Common pairings

electoral mandate mandate a policy mandate compliance seek a mandate

mandated past tense, mandates plural, mandates singular

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The court issued a _____ requiring the company to pay damages.

From Latin mandatum ("a charge, order, commission"), from manus ("hand") + dare ("to put/give") — literally "put into someone's hands."

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