Repeal

/rɪˈpiːl/

verbmedium📊CommonLegal
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To officially cancel or invalidate a law, regulation, or agreement.

/rɪˈpiːl/

verbneutralmedium
Legal

To revoke or annul (a law, act, or agreement).

The legislature voted to repeal the outdated law.

💡 Simply: Think of it like this: Imagine your parents made a rule about no video games during the week. If they decided to repeal that rule, it means you can play video games again! It's like taking a law or rule and making it go away.

👶 For kids: To make a rule or law go away.

More Examples

2

The company repealed its policy on employee dress code.

3

The new administration promised to repeal several unpopular regulations.

4

The court decided to repeal the previous ruling, setting a new precedent.

How It's Used

Legal

"The government decided to repeal the tax law."

Political

"Activists are lobbying to repeal the controversial legislation."

2

The formal cancellation of a law, regulation, or agreement.

/rɪˈpiːl/

nounneutralmedium
Legal

The act of repealing something.

The repeal of the act caused widespread economic effects.

💡 Simply: When we talk about a 'repeal', it's the moment when a rule or law gets officially taken away, like when the city decides to stop the street cleaning regulations.

👶 For kids: When someone takes a rule or law away.

More Examples

2

The politician advocated for the repeal of the controversial bill.

3

The public celebrated the repeal of the unjust regulation.

4

The repeal was seen as a victory by the opposition party.

How It's Used

Legal

"The repeal of the law was highly debated."

Political

"The repeal led to significant changes in the industry."

Tip:Think of 'repeal' as the ACTION of removing a law. It's the event of officially taking something off the books.

From Middle English repelen, from Anglo-Norman repeler, from Latin repellere ('to drive back, reject').

The word 'repeal' has been used since the 15th century, primarily in legal and governmental contexts.

Memory tip

Imagine a REPEAL is like erasing a law from the books. It's like saying, "We're done with this rule!"

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"repellere (to drive back, reject)"

Base: repeal
repeal a lawthe repeal of a lawto repeal a policyvoted to repealcall for the repeal

Common misspellings

reapelreapealrepel

Usage

20%Spoken
80%Written