blue law

noun

Definition of blue law

1 : one of numerous extremely rigorous laws designed to regulate morals and conduct in colonial New England

2 : a statute regulating work, commerce, and amusements on Sundays

See blue law defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of blue law from the Web

An effort to allow Sunday alcohol sales stalled for years, and a generation of rural politicians worried that easing Georgia’s strict blue laws would alienate religious voters.

— greg bluestein, ajc, "A watershed moment in the evolution of booze and GOP politics in Georgia," 5 Sep. 2017
On Wednesday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill that allows restaurants and bars to start serving alcohol at 10 a.m. on Sundays, easing restrictions set by 80-year-old blue laws.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "New Yorkers Can Now Order a Drink on Sunday Morning," 9 Sep. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'blue law.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of blue law

1755

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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BLUE LAW Defined for English Language Learners

blue law

noun

Definition of blue law for English Language Learners

: an old law that forbids people from doing certain things (such as working or selling alcohol) on Sundays

Law Dictionary

blue law

noun

legal Definition of blue law

: a statute regulating work, commerce, and amusements on Sunday

Note: Existing blue laws derive from the numerous extremely rigorous laws designed to regulate morals and conduct that were enacted in colonial New England.