Order vs. Decree

I would say a decree is a type of order, an official command or decision. Order has multiple uses, such as you can place an order at a restaurant - but this wouldn't be a decree.

"Order" is a common word. "Decree" is rarely used, other than in legal cases or historic contexts.

I think "decree" evokes images of a monarchy. A king might decree something because his word is law. Meanwhile, a president in the U.S. can make an Executive Order, which gives a direction to another branch of government. That's just one example, but I don't generally think of democracies/republics having decrees.

Decree is a made by a person with lots of authority. A decree is likely made to create an obligation or law, and probably cannot be ignored or questioned E.g. there may be a royal decree, made by a king, that says all people must report for military service because the country is now at war. An order is probably made by someone with authority but is likely more specific about a certain action that needs to be done rather than creating a law or legal obligation. E.g. the police ordered the man to put his hands above his head.

An order is usually by threat of force, or has immediate enforcement A decree is basically a way of saying "this is the way things are now", it's more passive as I understand it It relies more on the authority of the person (like a king), an order usually relies on the title or rank of the person, not the person themselves Basically: - Order => Do this immediately or have a consequence (active) - Decree => You must change your conduct going forward (passive) Decree is also archaic and mostly out of use. I believe it may have limited use in legal terminology "Consent Decree" comes to mind, but that is still a very new concept to me so I may not describe it well. It's a judicial order that a police force must change its ways and abide by some agreement to fix its conduct.

I would say the difference is scope. Orders are something you give to an individual or limited group. Decrees would be something commanded of a very large group. A head of state or head of religion would make decrees to their people. You would order a hamburger at a restaurant. A military officer would order his troops.