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 bylaws further outline an approach to a potential stock market listing.
—
Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Following two public meetings this summer, Caucus President Regina Etherton wrote on August 24 that Caucus members would be able to vote on a bylaw change that would allow options beyond the current system of in-person voting.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Likewise, the Suns might assert that team disputes are ordinarily reviewed by grievance procedures outlined by the NBA constitution and bylaws, which govern teams and owners, and ultimately overseen by NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The board’s bylaws state only the chair or someone authorized by the chair can call a meeting, so any decisions made during that meeting and subsequent meetings held after are invalid, the injunction states.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bylaw
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Following two public meetings this summer, Caucus President Regina Etherton wrote on August 24 that Caucus members would be able to vote on a bylaw change that would allow options beyond the current system of in-person voting.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Likewise, the Suns might assert that team disputes are ordinarily reviewed by grievance procedures outlined by the NBA constitution and bylaws, which govern teams and owners, and ultimately overseen by NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The board’s bylaws state only the chair or someone authorized by the chair can call a meeting, so any decisions made during that meeting and subsequent meetings held after are invalid, the injunction states.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 2025.
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"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share