enact
en-AKT
/ɪnˈækt/
To make a bill or proposal into law, or to perform/represent on stage.
Specifically denotes the formal moment a legislative text crosses the threshold to become binding statute.
The story behind the word. Constructed in Middle English from prefix 'en-' (into) and 'act' (from Latin 'agere', to do). In legal parlance, to 'enact' was to put a proposal into the official record of 'acts' of Parliament.
Word relationships
- pass: 'Pass' is a broader term for voting successfully on a bill; 'enact' stresses turning it into active law.
- ratify: 'Ratify' means formally approving or validating a treaty or constitution.
- repeal: 'Repeal' means to void or revoke an enacted law.
- reject: 'Reject' means to refuse to pass a proposed bill.
Commonly confused with
- reenact: 'Enact' means establishing a law for the first time, whereas 'reenact' means performing past events again or reinstating an old law.
Word family
- enactment (noun): The passing of a law, or a law itself.
Collocations
- enact legislation
- enact laws
- enact reforms
- enact measures
Example sentences
- "Congress voted to enact the environmental protection bill despite fierce opposition." Legislative Process
- "State legislatures must enact measures that safeguard consumer privacy rights." Public Policy
Memory hook
EN-ACT: put into ACTion as official legal code. Turning words into legal action.
When not to use
Do not use when describing informal agreements or internal corporate rules that are not formal statutes.
Fun facts
- Every UK Act of Parliament begins with the Enacting Clause: 'BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's/King's most Excellent Majesty...'
Explore more words
implementation, enforce, legislation, promulgate, statute, bill
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