Entry Word: law

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a rule of conduct or action laid down by a governing authority and especially a legislator <a record number of laws were passed in that legislative session>

Synonyms act, enactment, ordinance, statute

Related Words decree, directive, edict, fiat, ruling; bylaw, regulation, rule; amendment, bill, legislation; common law, martial law; prohibition, restriction; canon, encyclical

2 a collection or system of rules of conduct <itʼs important to obey the law at all times, or else you might end up in jail> — see code
3 the department of government that keeps order, fights crime, and enforces statutes <a petty thief who had somehow managed to avoid the law for most of his life> — see police 1