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

• ground rule
• reg
• regulation
• rule

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

But because the board’s total number of trustees was less than the minimum of 13 described in the bylaws, there could be no votes on items, according to several sources. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2025

Boards cannot borrow unilaterally, unless the bylaws contain that right. —Jill Terreri Ramos, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025

Kiely said such a requirement does not exist in the bylaws and that has been a problem in previous years. —Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025

But Wright was still an Academy member when the no-resale regulations were enacted in 1951, and therefore, the bylaws still applied to him. —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025

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