dictate

USDIK-tayt/ˈdɪkˌteɪt/dik-TAYT/ˌdɪkˈteɪt/

As a nounDIK-tayt

Verbdictates, dictating, dictated

Noun pluraldictates

4 meanings of dictate

1
verbtransitive or intransitive
To say words out loud so that another person can write them down.
Like saying each word out loud so a friend can copy it onto paper.
Please dictate the letter and I will type it.
She dictated her memoirs to a young assistant.
2
verbtransitive
To tell others what they must do and expect them to obey.
Like a boss who decides everything and lets no one argue.
A good coach should not dictate every move his players make.
The general dictated strict rules for the whole camp.
Similarcontrol, impose, prescribe, decree
3
verbtransitive
To control or strongly shape how something turns out.
Like rain that decides whether a game can be played.
Money should not dictate who gets good health care.
Weather conditions dictated the timing of the launch.
Similardetermine, govern, decide, control, shape
4
nouncountable
An order or command that people are expected to obey.
Like a rule from a parent that you cannot say no to.
The king's dictate could not be questioned by anyone.
Workers grumbled, but they obeyed the dictates from above.
Similarorder, command, decree, edict, directive

Practice

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Origins

Meaning 4

From Latin dictatum, meaning 'a thing said' or 'something dictated'. It first appeared in 1581.

Meanings 1–3

From Latin dictatus, meaning 'to declare or pronounce repeatedly'. It first appeared in 1577.