decreto

decree

noun deh-KREH-toh Less Common

Origin: From Latin decretum, past participle of decernere ('to decide').

Usage Note

Decreto is an official government order with the force of law issued by the executive, as in decreto-ley ('decree-law'), which allows the Spanish government to legislate by executive order in urgent cases without prior parliamentary approval. It is distinct from a ley (a law passed by parliament) and from a reglamento (a regulation). Plural is regular: decretos.

Examples

"El gobierno aprobó un nuevo decreto ayer."

Natural Translation

The government approved a new decree yesterday.

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