Meaning of law in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /lɔ/

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  1. Noun

    law

    Etymology

    Old English lagu, from Old Norse lag‘something laid down or fixed’, of Germanic origin and related to lay

    Definitions

    1. legal document setting forth rules governing a particular kind of activity

    Examples

    • « there is a law against kidnapping »
  2. 2. the collection of rules imposed by authority

    Examples

    • « civilization presupposes respect for the law »
    • « the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order »
  3. 3. a generalization that describes recurring facts or events in nature

    Examples

    • « the laws of thermodynamics »
  4. 4. a rule or body of rules of conduct inherent in human nature and essential to or binding upon human society
  5. 5. the learned profession that is mastered by graduate study in a law school and that is responsible for the judicial system

    Examples

    • « he studied law at Yale »
  6. 6. the force of policemen and officers

    Examples

    • « the law came looking for him »
  7. 7. the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do