Mandate: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Mandate noun. The authority to carry out a programme that voters are seen to have given by electing someone.
How to say it
MAN-dayt/ˈmandeɪt/
2 syllables, stressed on the first (MAN). Forms: mandates.
Meanings
- The authority to carry out a programme that voters are seen to have given by electing someone.
- An official order or instruction to do something.
Mandate in a sentence
After winning by a landslide, the new council claimed a mandate to rebuild the town centre.
With such a slim majority, critics argued she had no mandate for sweeping change.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- authority
- approval
- commission
- licence
Where mandate comes from
From Latin mandatum, something commanded, from mandare, to entrust or order.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
With such a slim majority, critics argued she had no _____ for sweeping change.
- mandate
- cohort
- satrap
Show the answer
mandate: With such a slim majority, critics argued she had no mandate for sweeping change.