- to make into an act or statute
- to establish by law; ordain or decree
- to represent or perform in or as if in a play; to act out
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
en•ac•to•ry
(en ak′tə rē),USA pronunciation adj. [Law.]
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- Lawof or pertaining to an enactment that creates new rights and obligations.
- enact + -ory1 1835–45
en•act /ɛnˈækt/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object],
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Lawto make into an act or law: to enact a new tax law.
- Show Businessto represent in or as if in a play;
act the part of:enacted the role of the villain.
en•act
(en akt′),USA pronunciation v.t.
en•act′a•ble, adj.
en•ac′tor, n.
- Lawto make into an act or statute:Congress has enacted a new tax law.
- Law, Show Businessto represent on or as on the stage;
act the part of:to enact Hamlet.
- late Middle English enacten. See en-1, act 1375–1425
en•ac′tor, n.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
enact /ɪnˈækt/ vb (transitive)