noun
fiat
FEYE-at
noun
1
An official order or decree, especially one issued without needing agreement from others.
"The new tax was imposed by fiat, with no public consultation."
2
Currency that has value because a government declares it legal tender, not because it's backed by a physical commodity.
"Bitcoin supporters often contrast it with fiat currency like the dollar."
How to Use Fiat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn authoritative order, or (in finance) government-backed paper money.
Common pairings
by fiat
fiat currency
government fiat
Word Forms
fiated past tense, fiats plural, Fiats plural, fiats singular
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The new tax was imposed by _____, with no public consultation.
Etymology
From Latin fīat, meaning "let it be done."