de novo

adverb or adjective

de no·​vo di-ˈnō-(ˌ)vō How to pronounce de novo (audio)
dā-, 
dē-
Synonyms of de novonext
: over again : anew
a case tried de novo

Synonyms of de novo

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Examples of de novo in a Sentence

since a mistrial was declared, the case will have to be tried de novo
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company is targeting de novo submission by the end of the year. — Naveen Rao, Forbes.com, 6 Mar. 2026 By contrast, government lawyers demanding payment of an FCC fine must prove to a jury in a de novo trial that the company violated the law. — ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026 Because this technology is new, PreEvnt is pursuing a de novo pathway, which allows devices to be evaluated while standards are still being defined. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026 Without discussion, the council unanimously decided against a de novo hearing, which upholds the Planning Department’s decision to mark the application incomplete. — Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for de novo

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1536, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of de novo was in 1536

Browse Nearby Words

denouncer
de novo
Denpasar
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“De novo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/de%20novo. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

de novo

adverb or adjective
de no·​vo dē-ˈnō-vō, dā- How to pronounce de novo (audio)
: over again : as if for the first time: as
a
: allowing independent appellate determination of issues (as of fact or law)
a de novo review
b
: allowing complete retrial upon new evidence compare abuse of discretion, clearly erroneous

Note: A de novo review is an in-depth review. Decisions of federal administrative agencies are generally subject to de novo review in the U.S. District Courts, and some lower state court decisions are subject to de novo review at the next level.

Etymology

Medieval Latin, literally, from (the) new

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