Dictate | Mean of dictate in English Dictionary

/ˈdɪkˌteɪt/

• Verb
• to speak or read (something) to a person who writes it down or to a machine that records it
1. She's dictating a letter to her secretary.
• to say or state (something) with authority or power
1. They insisted on being able to dictate the terms of surrender.
• to make (something) necessary
1. Our choice of activities will likely be dictated [=determined, controlled] by the weather.
2. His health dictates [=requires] that he work at home.
3. Tradition dictates that the youngest member should go first.
4. The basket's function dictates its size and shape.

• to give orders to (someone)
1. I resent being dictated to by someone with half my experience.
• Noun
• an order or direction given with authority
1. They don't allow any disagreement with the dictates of the party.
• a rule or principle that guides something (such as an activity or a person's behavior)
1. She tried to live her life according to the dictates of her conscience.
2. We pay no attention to the dictates of fashion.
3. the dictates of common sense