noun
plural laws
[noncount] 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. [count]
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
[noncount] the job of a lawyer :the legal profession
the area of study that relates to laws and how they are used
a religious rule [count]
[count] a rule stating that something (such as an art or profession) should be done in a certain way
b Brit :a rule in a sport or game
[count] :a statement that describes how something works in the natural world - often + of
synonyms law, rule, regulation, statute, and ordinance are statements about what people are allowed to do. A law is made by a government, and people who live in the area controlled by that government must obey it.
above the law
not required to obey the law
a law unto yourself
People who are or think they are a law unto themselves act in a way that shows they do not care what kind of behavior other people think is acceptable.
go to law
Brit :to ask a court of law to settle a dispute
law and order
a state or situation in which people obey the law :legal control and authority
lay down the law
see lay down at 1lay
outside the law
not agreeing with the law
in an illegal way
take the law into your own hands
to try to punish someone for breaking a law even though you do not have the right to do that
the law of averages
the idea or principle that something which can produce different results will produce those results in a regular or predictable way over a period of time
the law of the jungle
used to describe a situation in which people do whatever they want to or whatever is necessary to survive or succeed
the long arm of the law
within the law
agreeing with the law
in a legal way
your word is law
If your word is law, other people must do what you say