SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

the law

Definition of the law

:the people and organizations (such as the police and the courts) whose job is to find or punish people who do not obey laws

They called in the law to determine what should be done next.

He's been in and out of trouble with the law for the last 10 years.

Word by Word Definitions

law play

: a binding custom or practice of a community : a rule of conduct or action prescribed (see prescribe 1a) or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority
: the whole body of such customs, practices, or rules
: common law

: litigate
: to sue or prosecute at law

See the full definition of law

Seen and Heard

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WORD OF THE DAY

malign

play

to speak evil of

Words at Play

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The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

Noah Webster first entered the term in 1840

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'Regimen' vs. 'Regiment'

The rule of thumb for words about rules

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'Spox' May Go On The Record

From newsroom lingo to the mainstream

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C'mon, Of Course 'Myriad' Is a Noun

For a myriad of reasons

Ask the Editors

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Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

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Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

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Original Meanings Quiz

A quiz for the pedantic and those annoyed by them!

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Name That Thing

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

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Add Diction

Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.

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