bylaw

noun by·law \ ˈbī-ˌlȯ \

variants: or less commonly byelaw

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of bylaw

1 : a rule adopted by an organization chiefly for the government of its members and the regulation of its affairs

2 : a local ordinance

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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 of bylaw from the Web

Hart may have also violated her condominium association’s bylaws to rent to Pruitt.

— emily atkin, The New Republic, "The lobbyist who rented a room to Scott Pruitt may have broken condo bylaws—and D.C. law.," 6 Apr. 2018
There is also the matter of writing new bylaws for the new party term, which is what started the dispute in the first place.

— nick powell, Houston Chronicle, "Galveston GOP chairman and splinter group agree to a settlement in months-long dispute," 6 Apr. 2018
Under its bylaws, at least half the foundation’s net dues were required to be paid to police departments whose reservists were members.

— zachary mider, Bloomberg.com, "Robert Mercer’s Secret Adventure as a New Mexico Cop," 28 Mar. 2018
The commission, by a 2 to 1 vote, disbanded the bylaws committee at its next meeting.

— steven goode, Courant Community, "Blue Hills Fire Commissioners Appear Before FOI Commission," 23 Mar. 2018
Moreover, a proposal supported by Broadcom – which called for repealing certain corporate bylaw changes – failed.

— mike freeman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Qualcomm's board re-elected; now must deliver on promises to shareholders," 23 Mar. 2018
That bylaw change is on the agenda for the owners meetings next week in the Orlando area.

— kent somers, azcentral, "NFL rule proposal: Cardinals, 49ers, Chargers seek to limit early road games," 20 Mar. 2018
The agency is now run by a new board of directors with new bylaws and continues its revitalization work.

— david owens, courant.com, "Former Head Of Enfield Development Agency Pleads Guilty, IDs Co-Conspirator," 16 Mar. 2018
New faces appeared within the leadership and new bylaws were voted on.

— elaine ganley and chris den hond, chicagotribune.com, "Marine Le Pen wants French far-right party renamed National Rally," 11 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of bylaw

Middle English bilawe, probably from Old Norse *bȳlǫg, from Old Norse bȳr town + lag-, lǫg law

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

bylaw Synonyms

Synonyms

ground rule, regulation, rule;

act, law, ordinance, statute;

behest, charge, command, commandment, decree, dictate, direction, directive, edict, fiat, instruction, order;

axiom, fundamental, maxim, precept;

moral, principle, value;

ban, interdiction, prohibition, proscription, restriction;

blueprint, canon, formula, guide, guideline, standard;

BYLAW Defined for English Language Learners

bylaw

noun

Definition of bylaw for English Language Learners

: a rule that an organization (such as a club or company) makes and that its members must follow
: a law or regulation that is made by a local government and that applies only to the local area