law

noun

\ ˈlȯ

Definition of law

(Entry 1 of 6)

1a(1) : a binding custom or practice of a community : a rule of conduct or action prescribed (see prescribe sense 1a) or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority

(2) : the whole body of such customs, practices, or rules The courts exist to uphold, interpret, and apply the law.

(3) : common law

b(1) : the control brought about by the existence or enforcement of such law preserved law and order in the town

(2) : the action of laws considered as a means of redressing wrongs also : litigation developed the habit of going to law over the slightest provocation — H. A. Overstreet

(3) : the agency of or an agent of established law When he saw that the fighting was escalating, he called in the law.

c : a rule or order that it is advisable or obligatory to observe a law of self-preservation

d : something compatible with or enforceable by established law The decrees were judged not to be law and were therefore rescinded.

e : control, authority The child submits to no law.

2a often capitalized : the revelation of the will of God set forth in the Old Testament

b capitalized : the first part of the Jewish scriptures : pentateuch, torah — see Bible Table

3 : a rule of construction or procedure the laws of poetry

4 : the whole body of laws relating to one subject criminal law probate law

5a : the legal profession studied for a career in law

b : law as a department of knowledge : jurisprudence

c : legal knowledge a man with much history but little law

6a : a statement of an order or relation of phenomena that so far as is known is invariable under the given conditions a law of thermodynamics Boyle's law

b : a general relation proved or assumed to hold between mathematical or logical expressions

at law

: under or within the provisions of the law enforceable at law

law

verb

lawed; lawing; laws

Definition of law (Entry 2 of 6)

intransitive verb

: litigate

transitive verb

chiefly dialectal : to sue or prosecute at law

Law

biographical name (1)

\ ˈlȯ

Definition of Law (Entry 3 of 6)

(Andrew) Bon*ar \ ˈbä-nər

\ 1858–1923 British (Canadian-born) statesman

Law

biographical name (2)

Definition of Law (Entry 4 of 6)

Edward 1750–1818 1st Baron Ellenborough \ ˈe-lən-ˌbər-ə

, -ˌbə-rə , -brə\ English jurist

Law

biographical name (3)

Definition of Law (Entry 5 of 6)

John 1671–1729 Scottish financier and speculator

Law

biographical name (4)

Definition of Law (Entry 6 of 6)

William 1686–1761 English writer

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about law

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Choose the Right Synonym for law

Noun

law, rule, regulation, precept, statute, ordinance, canon mean a principle governing action or procedure. law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority. obey the law rule applies to more restricted or specific situations. the rules of the game regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system. regulations affecting nuclear power plants precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching. the precepts of effective writing statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body. a statute requiring the use of seat belts ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality. a city ordinance canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide. the canons of good taste

synonyms see in addition hypothesis

Examples of law in a Sentence

Noun

The courts exist to uphold, interpret, and apply the law. a lawyer who specializes in criminal law In our civics class we learned how a bill becomes a law. She has proposed a new law to protect people from being evicted unfairly. Schools are required by law to provide a safe learning environment. The bill will become law at the beginning of the year. He's been in and out of trouble with the law for the last 10 years.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Cummings’ House Committee on Oversight and Reform has voted to subpoena senior White House officials, including Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, for their communications via private email accounts and messaging apps. — Lillian Reed, baltimoresun.com, "'I’d be happy to have him’: Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings says President Trump should come to Baltimore," 3 Aug. 2019 Dutch Village, in North Baltimore, is one of several apartment complexes in the Baltimore area owned by the family real-estate firm of Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and adviser. — Osita Nwanevu, The New Yorker, "Baltimore Responds to President Trump," 3 Aug. 2019 Besides his wife, Marc Stirdivant is survived by his daughters Bethany Stirdivant and Kimberly Stirdivant Wason, son-in-law, Roger Wason, grandson, Sebastian Wason, and sister, Jill Stirdivant Stanley. — Glendale News-Press, "Longtime local trails, open-space supporter Marc Stirdivant passes away," 2 Aug. 2019 Ramirez’s brother-in-law, Saúl Moreno -- co-owner of Moreno Pallets -- still can’t believe what happened. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Family asks for community support to rebuild business destroyed by fire in Otay Mesa," 2 Aug. 2019 Two decades ago, a small plane crash killed JFK's son, John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife, Carolyn Kennedy, and sister-in-law, Lauren Bessette. — Faith Karimi, CNN, "Inside the Kennedy family's tragedies and untimely deaths," 2 Aug. 2019 His wife, Carolyn Bessette, and sister-in-law were on board and also died. — NBC News, "Saoirse Kennedy Hill, found dead at her family's Cape Cod compound, battled depression," 2 Aug. 2019 In season two of the smash HBO series, Meryl Streep takes on the role of an unpleasant mother-in-law to say the least. — Rania Aniftos, Billboard, "King Princess Transforms Meryl Streep's 'Big Little Lies' Scream Into a Catchy Techno Beat: Listen," 31 July 2019 The veteran sitcom actors (Howery of The Carmichael Show and Rel; Campbell-Martin of Martin and My Wife and Kids) play the brother and sister-in-law of protagonist Craig’s dad Duane (voiced by Terry Crews). — Marcus Jones, EW.com, "Lil Rel Howery, Tisha Campbell-Martin join Terry Crews' family in exclusive Craig of the Creek clip," 31 July 2019

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

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More Definitions for law

law

noun

English Language Learners Definition of law

: the whole system or set of rules made by the government of a town, state, country, etc.

: a particular kind of law

: a rule made by the government of a town, state, country, etc.

See the full definition for law in the English Language Learners Dictionary

law

noun

\ ˈlȯ

Kids Definition of law

1 : a rule of conduct or action that a nation or a group of people agrees to follow

2 : a whole collection of established rules the law of the land

3 : a rule or principle that always works the same way under the same conditions the law of gravity

4 : a bill passed by a legislature

5 : police entry 2 sense 1

6 : the profession of a lawyer

law

noun

\ ˈlȯ

Medical Definition of law

: a statement of order or relation holding for certain phenomena that so far as is known is invariable under the given conditions

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law

noun

\ ˈlȯ

Legal Definition of law

1 : a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority: as

a : a command or provision enacted by a legislature — see also statute sense 1

b : something (as a judicial decision) authoritatively accorded binding or controlling effect in the administration of justice that case is no longer the law of this circuit

2a : a body of laws the law of a state broadly : laws and justice considered as a general and established entity the law looks with disfavor on restraints on alienation

b : common law — compare equity sense 2

3a : the control or authority of the law maintain law and order

b : one or more agents or agencies involved in enforcing laws

c : the application of a law or laws as distinct from considerations of fact an error of law — see also issue of law at issue, matter of law at matter, question of law at question sense 2

4 : the whole body of laws and doctrines relating to one subject contract law the law of attractive nuisance

5a : the legal profession practice law

b : the nature, use, and effects of laws and legal systems as an area of knowledge or society the politics of law — compare jurisprudence

at law

: under or within the provisions of the law especially as opposed to equity a remedy at law