natural law

noun

: a body of law or a specific principle held to be derived from nature and binding upon human society in the absence of or in addition to positive law

Examples of natural law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But analogies and artworks don’t exist outside of their creators in the way that natural laws and biological traits do. Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 24 June 2023 The entrenched global economic doctrine prioritizes growth at all costs, while ignoring constraints from natural laws and biophysical limits. Chirag Dhara, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2023 The details may differ, but the authors argue that the parallels suggest that a natural law is appropriate to describe the behavior. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 17 Oct. 2023 This argument, now ubiquitous on the left, has come to seem like a natural law of the political universe, describing our most elemental drives of identity and anxiety. Corey Robin, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2023 Gin, citrus, simple syrup, and basil—its inherent deliciousness is so evident to bartenders and non-bartenders alike as to approach something like a natural law. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2023 Though not exactly in vogue in the academy these days, natural law is an objective and reliable framework, the idea being that the moral claims of any creature are evident in its nature. Matthew Scully, National Review, 2 Jan. 2023 The book proceeds, however, to discuss the relationship between natural law and constitutional adjudication. Christian Schneider, National Review, 22 June 2023 Events in Ukraine also remind us that world order is not a product of natural law or moral inevitability. Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 14 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'natural law.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of natural law was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near natural law

Cite this Entry

“Natural law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/natural%20law. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

natural law

noun
: a body of law or a specific principle of law that is held to be derived from nature and binding upon human society in the absence of or in addition to positive law

Note: While natural law, based on a notion of timeless order, does not receive as much credence as it did formerly, it was an important influence on the enumeration of natural rights by Thomas Jefferson and others.

More from Merriam-Webster on natural law

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!