Law
/lɔː/
Definitions
3 meaningsThe body of rules and regulations enacted and enforced by a government or community.
/lɔː/
A system of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and may enforce by the imposition of penalties.
The law protects citizens from discrimination.
💡 Simply: Imagine rules for a game. The law is like those rules but for the whole country or community. If you break the rules, there are consequences. For example, a new law might say you can't drive faster than 65 mph.
👶 For kids: Rules that everyone in a country or place has to follow. Like the rules at school!
More Examples
She is studying to become a lawyer so she can practice law.
The company was found to have violated the law.
How It's Used
"He studied law at university."
"The new law was passed by Congress."
A principle or rule governing a process or action in a specific field, often based on observation and experimentation.
/lɔː/
A rule defining correct procedure or behavior in a particular area.
The laws of physics govern the universe.
💡 Simply: Think about science or business. Laws can also mean rules that describe how things work, like 'the laws of gravity' which tell us how things fall. Or 'the laws of supply and demand' which help us understand how prices go up and down.
👶 For kids: A rule that always works, like how things fall down.
More Examples
The laws of economics explain market behavior.
They discovered a new law in chemistry.
How It's Used
"Newton's laws of motion."
"The laws of supply and demand."
To initiate legal proceedings against someone in a court of law.
/lɔː/
To take legal action against someone
The company threatened to law the competitor over the trademark infringement.
💡 Simply: To 'law' someone means to sue them, or take them to court. This often happens when someone feels they've been wronged.
👶 For kids: To go to court to try and win a case against someone else.
More Examples
He decided to law his neighbor after the property dispute.
She was ready to law the landlord for the unsafe living conditions.
How It's Used
"The company decided to law against the other company for patent infringement."
Idioms & expressions
lay down the law
To state the rules or expectations in a clear and forceful way.
"The boss laid down the law about punctuality."
the letter of the law
The strict interpretation and application of the rules, without considering the spirit or intent.
"He followed the letter of the law but didn't help the people who needed assistance."
the spirit of the law
The underlying intention or purpose of the law, beyond the literal wording; the principle behind the rules.
"They focused on the spirit of the law, trying to help rather than just punish."
From Old English lagu, probably from Old Norse *lagu ('that which is laid down or fixed').
The word 'law' has been used for centuries to denote rules and principles governing human behavior, evolving from its early Germanic origins.
Memory tip
Think of a courtroom: the law is what the judge applies to the case.
Word Origin
"Something laid down or fixed, statute, ordinance"