Words / C1

MAND-ayt/ˈmændeɪt/

A mandate is official authority to act, often from voters, a law, or a parent body: a mandate to review the rules. Permission is weaker and everyday; authority is broader. A government claims a mandate after an election. As a verb, to mandate a procedure is to require it (more US-influenced). Mandatory is the adjective (mandatory training).

Meaning

Official authority to do something, often given by voters or a law.

Examples

• “The committee has a mandate to review the rules.”
• “The board has no mandate to sell the building.”
• “Voters gave her a clear mandate for tax reform.”

Good to know

a mandate to + verb. Official authority, often from an election. Adjective: mandatory. Everyday: authority / permission.

Near in meaning

authority

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