bylaw

noun

by·​law ˈbī-ˌlȯ 

variants or less commonly byelaw

1

: a rule adopted by an organization chiefly for the government of its members and the regulation of its affairs

2

: a local ordinance

Synonyms of bylaw

• regulation
• rule
• law
• code

Examples of bylaw in a Sentence

the club's bylaws bar any member whose annual dues remain unpaid from voting in the election

Recent Examples on the Web

The state is suing the Indiana High School Athletic Association and seeking the removal of a bylaw that requires the organization to reserve two seats for minorities on its Board of Directors. — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

But the Musk trailer, which dropped Thursday, does not appear to fall in the category of the campaign advertising those bylaws were enacted to prevent. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026

The association, founded in 1987 as an organization devoted to prints, expanded its mandate last year to include drawings, the first major change to its bylaws since 1990. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

The school could argue that the conference hastily convened the vote, perhaps in violation of bylaws or conference customs, and in doing so jeopardized its contracts with coaches, sponsors, media and licensing partners, and others. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bilawe, probably from Old Norse *bȳlǫg, from Old Norse bȳr town + lag-, lǫg law

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bylaw

• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw
• byelaw
• chainsaw
• cheraw
• coleslaw
• crenshaw
• dada
• esau
• foresaw

Kids Definition

bylaw

noun

by·​law ˈbī-ˌlȯ 

: a rule adopted by an organization for governing its members and regulating its affairs

Etymology

Middle English bilawe "bylaw," probably from an early Norse compound of bȳr "town" and lǫg "law"

Legal Definition

bylaw

noun

by·​law

ˈbī-ˌlȯ

1

: a rule adopted by an organization chiefly for the government of its members and the management of its affairs

2

: a local ordinance

—often used in pl.

Etymology

Middle English bilage, bilawe local law, probably ultimately from Old Norse bȳr town + lǫg law