Definition

1. Noun:
   • A system of rules created and enforced by a government or community: "Law" refers to the formal rules that regulate society, maintain order, and resolve disputes. It is a binding custom or practice.
   • A statement of fact describing a consistent phenomenon in nature or society: "Law" can also mean a scientific principle or generalization that describes recurring patterns or relationships.
   • The field of study or profession concerned with these rules: "Law" denotes the academic discipline of jurisprudence or the practice of being a lawyer.

Usage

• As a societal rule system: The word "law" is used to talk about the entire body of rules that govern a country or community. It is often uncountable in this sense.
• As a specific rule: "Law" can be countable when referring to a single, specific statute or regulation.
• As a scientific principle: It is used to describe invariable sequences and relationships observed in science, mathematics, or economics.

Examples

• Societal/Governmental Rules:
  • Respect for the law is fundamental to a functioning democracy.
  • The new traffic law prohibits the use of mobile phones while driving.
• Scientific Principle:
  • Newton's law of universal gravitation explains the attraction between masses.
  • The law of supply and demand is a core concept in economics.
• Profession/Field of Study:
  • She decided to pursue a career in law.
  • He is a professor of law at the university.

Advanced Usage

• "To be a law unto oneself": To act independently, ignoring conventions or rules.
  • The rebellious artist was a law unto himself, following no one's rules but his own.
• "To lay down the law": To give authoritative orders or commands in a stern manner.
  • The manager called a meeting to lay down the law about the new office policies.
• "To take the law into one's own hands": To attempt to administer justice personally, without involving the proper authorities.
  • Frustrated by the slow investigation, some citizens threatened to take the law into their own hands.

Variants and Related Words

• Lawful (adj): Allowed or recognized by law; legal.
  • It was a lawful order from the court.
• Lawless (adj): Without law or control; characterized by a lack of order.
  • The frontier town was a lawless place.
• Lawsuit (n): A claim or dispute brought to a court of law for adjudication.
  • The company faced a lawsuit over patent infringement.
• By-law (n): A rule made by a local authority or organization to regulate itself.
  • The club's by-laws require a monthly meeting.

Synonyms

• Statute: A written law passed by a legislative body.
• Regulation: A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.
• Ordinance: A piece of legislation enacted by a municipal authority.
• Principle: A fundamental truth or proposition serving as the foundation for belief or action.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Law and order: A situation characterized by respect for and obedience to the rules of society.
  • The mayor promised to restore law and order to the city.
• Necessity knows no law: A proverb meaning that extreme need may compel one to break the usual rules.
  • When the ship was sinking, they took the lifeboats—necessity knows no law.
• Above the law: Exempt from the laws that apply to everyone else.
  • No one, not even the president, is above the law.
• Letter of the law: The precise wording of a law, as opposed to its intended spirit or purpose.
  • He followed the letter of the law but violated its spirit.

Noun

1. the force of policemen and officers
   • the law came looking for him
2. the learned profession that is mastered by graduate study in a law school and that is responsible for the judicial system
   • he studied law at Yale
3. the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do
4. a generalization that describes recurring facts or events in nature
   • the laws of thermodynamics
5. a rule or body of rules of conduct inherent in human nature and essential to or binding upon human society
6. legal document setting forth rules governing a particular kind of activity
   • there is a law against kidnapping
7. the collection of rules imposed by authority
   • civilization presupposes respect for the law
   • the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order