bylaw

noun

by·​law ˈbī-ˌlȯ How to pronounce bylaw (audio)
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
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.
Hogg was again thrust into the center of this internal debate after his election to vice chair was deemed to have violated DNC bylaws which encourage gender parity among the party leadership. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025 An Illinois High School Association bylaw forbids that. Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025 Members could change the bylaws during their August 2024 meeting, but the maneuver could put the DNC in the awkward spot akin to the 2016 election when the establishment backed Hillary Clinton over progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025 Mitchell said the bylaws require a RFP for any position that pays more than $10,000, and Lordigyan has run the event for a number of years and receives about $55,405. Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bylaw

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bylaw was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bylaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bylaw. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

bylaw

noun
by·​law ˈbī-ˌlȯ How to pronounce bylaw (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on bylaw

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!