international law

noun

: a body of rules that control or affect the rights of nations in their relations with each other

Examples of international law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The second Bush administration pushed the boundaries of international law. — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026

Pillay, 85, received the news while attending a forum in Nuremberg, Germany, where the trials of Nazi war criminals helped lay the foundations of international law. — Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

The Norwegian Nobel Committee honored Pillay, 85, for her contributions to international law and efforts to hold perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide accountable. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

The Monitor's View This year’s award went to a South African jurist who not only reshaped international law but also says her inspiration came from survivors of atrocities who never gave up their dignity. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for international law

• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw
• byelaw
• bylaw
• chainsaw
• cheraw
• coleslaw
• crenshaw
• dada
• esau

Legal Definition

international law

noun

: a body of laws, rules, or legal principles that are based on custom, treaties, or legislation and that control or affect the rights and duties of nations in relation to each other compare internal law