noun , verb
■ noun / ˈmændeɪt; NAmE /
1.
mandate (to do sth) | mandate (for sth) the authority to do sth, given to a government or other organization by the people who vote for it in an election :
The election victory gave the party a clear mandate to continue its programme of reform.
a mandate for an end to the civil war
2.
the period of time for which a government is given power :
The presidential mandate is limited to two terms of four years each.
3.
mandate (to do sth) ( formal ) an official order given to sb to perform a particular task :
The bank had no mandate to honour the cheque.
4.
the power given to a country to govern another country or region, especially in the past
■ verb /ˈmændeɪt; ˌmænˈdeɪt/ [ often passive ] ( formal )
1.
( especially NAmE ) to order sb to behave, do sth or vote in a particular way :
[ v that ]
The law mandates that imported goods be identified as such.
[also vn to inf , vn ]
2.
[ vn to inf ] to give sb, especially a government or a committee, the authority to do sth :
The assembly was mandated to draft a constitution.
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WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent.: from Latin mandatum something commanded, neuter past participle of mandare , from manus hand + dare give. Senses 1 and 2 of the noun have been influenced by French mandat .