Definition of: mandate

(man′dāt, -dit) noun
1. An authoritative requirement, as of a sovereign; a command; order; charge.
2. A charge to a nation, authorizing the government, administration, and development of conquered territory, given by a congress or league of nations, to which the grantee is responsible; also, the territory given in charge.
3. A judicial command directed to an officer of the court to enforce an order of that court; a precept from an appellate court directing what a subordinate court shall do in an appealed case.
4. A rescript of the pope ordering that the person named shall have the first vacant benefice in the gift of the person addressed.
5. An instruction from an electorate to the legislative body, or its representative, to follow a certain course of action. See synonyms under LAW.
—v.t. (-dāt) ·dat·ed, ·dat·ing To assign (a colony or other territory) to a specific nation under a mandate. [<L mandatum, pp. neut. of mandare command <manus hand + dare give (to)]