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 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

Doing the math, that leaves two other units with residents who will have a say since allowing the foundation to take over the entire space would require changing the co-op’s bylaws, Richards said. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026

And Silver, according to the NBA’s constitution and bylaws, has significant latitude to impose discipline. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 3 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