verb, -tat⋅ed, -tat⋅ing, noun | 1. | to say or read (something) aloud for another person to transcribe or for a machine to record: to dictate some letters to a secretary. |
| 2. | to prescribe or lay down authoritatively or peremptorily; command unconditionally: to dictate peace terms to a conquered enemy. |
| 3. | to say or read aloud something to be written down by a person or recorded by a machine. |
| 4. | to give orders. |
| 5. | an authoritative order or command. |
| 6. | a guiding or governing principle, requirement, etc.: to follow the dictates of one's conscience. |
