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
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 Kennedy Center changed its bylaws earlier this year to limit voting to board members appointed by the president.
—
Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 31 Dec. 2025
Voting on these finalists are separate from the modern-era players ballot, according to a release, and only one person and a maximum of three will be elected under the Hall’s bylaws.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
None of the above five optional eligibility factors are automatically applicable – they must be stated in either the HOA bylaws or election rules.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025
In a letter to committee members on Monday, Committee Chair Larry Novak said Diehl was taking advantage of MassGOP bylaws to restructure the Brockton committee.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bylaw
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Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 31 Dec. 2025
Voting on these finalists are separate from the modern-era players ballot, according to a release, and only one person and a maximum of three will be elected under the Hall’s bylaws.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
None of the above five optional eligibility factors are automatically applicable – they must be stated in either the HOA bylaws or election rules.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025
In a letter to committee members on Monday, Committee Chair Larry Novak said Diehl was taking advantage of MassGOP bylaws to restructure the Brockton committee.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bylaw
Cite this Entry
“Bylaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bylaw. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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"
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