rules and laws

English translation unavailable for rules and laws.

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rule

rule [noun] (INSTRUCTION)

an accepted principle or instruction that states the way things are or should be done, and tells you what you are allowed or are not allowed to do

US

/ruːl/

UK

/ruːl/

Example:

A referee must know all the rules of the game.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

rule

I. rule¹ S1 W1 /ruːl/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑rule, ↑ruler, ↑ruling, ↑unruliness; adjective: ↑ruling, ↑unruly, ↑ruled; verb: ↑rule, ↑overrule]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: reule, from Latin regula; ⇨ ↑regular¹]
1. ABOUT WHAT IS ALLOWED [countable] an official instruction that says how things must be done or what is allowed, especially in a game, organization, or job
rule of
the rules of the game
under the rules/according to the rules
Under the rules, the company must publish its annual accounts.
2. ABOUT WHAT YOU SHOULD DO [countable] what you should do in a particular situation, or a statement about this:
There are no hard and fast rules (=clear and definite rules) about what to wear to classes.
rule of
There are two basic rules of survival.
The rule is: if you feel any pain you should stop exercising immediately.
3. NORMAL/USUAL [singular] something that is normal or usually true
as a (general) rule
As a general rule most students finish their coursework by the end of May.
Early marriage used to be the rule in that part of the world.
A series of payments used to be the exception rather than the rule.
Unfortunately there is an exception to every rule.
4. GOVERNMENT [uncountable] the government of a country or area by a particular group of people or using a particular system
under ... rule
people living under communist rule
the end of colonial rule
a period of military rule
direct rule from Westminster
the restoration of majority rule (=government by the party that most people have voted for) to Northern Ireland
5. IN GRAMMAR/SCIENCE ETC [countable] a statement about what is usually allowed in a particular system, such as the grammar of a language, or a science
rule of
the rules of English punctuation
6. the rule of law a situation in which the laws of a country are obeyed:
We are here to uphold the rule of law.
7. the rules of natural justice what people believe to be right and fair:
The governor failed to observe the rules of natural justice.
8. rule of thumb a rough figure or method of calculation, based on practical experience:
As a general rule of thumb, children this age should not spend more than one hour on homework.
9. make it a rule (to do something) to try to make sure that you always do something:
I make it a rule never to mix business with pleasure.
10. FOR MEASURING [countable] old-fashioned a ↑ruler
⇨ ↑golden rule, ↑ground rules, ↑home rule, ↑slide rule, ⇨ work to rule at ↑work¹(32)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ break a rule (also violate a rule formal) (=not obey it) He had clearly broken the official rules. | Any one who violates this rule will be severely punished.
▪ obey/follow a rule She wasn’t going to obey their silly rules.
▪ comply with/abide by/observe a rule formal (=obey it) All members must comply with the rules of the organization. | There is little that one country can do if another fails to abide by the rules. | We expect you to observe the general rules of conduct as set out below.
▪ stick to/go by the rules informal (=obey them) We all have to stick to the rules.
▪ make the rules I’m only an assistant manager – I don’t make the rules.
▪ the rule says ... The rule says that you must be standing inside the line.
▪ the rule stipulates that ... formal (=it says that something must be done) The rules stipulate that clubs must field the strongest team available.
▪ the rule prohibits/forbids something The rule forbids women from becoming members of the club.
▪ the rule requires (that) ... formal (=it says that people must do something) School rules required all girls to tie back their hair.
▪ the rule applies to somebody/something (=it concerns them) Everyone thinks that the rule doesn’t apply to them.
▪ play by the rules (=do what is expected and agreed) The system works well enough — as long as everyone plays by the rules.
▪ bend/stretch the rules (=allow someone to do something that is not normally allowed) They bend the rules to suit themselves.
▪ relax the rules (=make them less strict) Britain relaxed its immigration rules.
▪ tighten (up) the rules (=make them stricter) The EU has tightened the rules on the quality of drinking water.
▪ enforce a rule (=make sure that it is obeyed) The planning office does not always enforce its own rules.
▪ flout a rule (=break it, without trying to hide what you are doing) The party continues to flout its own rules.
▪ be bound by rules (=have to obey them) Solicitors are bound by strict rules that regulate their professional conduct.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + rule
▪ strict They have very strict rules about gambling.
▪ simple The rules of the game are quite simple.
▪ petty (=unreasonable rules about unimportant things) There are hundreds of petty rules.
▪ a school/prison/club etc rule He had broken one of the school rules.
▪ an unwritten rule (=a rule of behaviour that everyone in a group understands) There’s an unwritten rule that you never call an actor before 10 a.m.
▪ health and safety rules You should follow any health and safety rules which apply to your workplace.
■ phrases
▪ be against the rules (=not be allowed) It was against the rules to talk in class.
▪ the rules concerning/governing/relating to something formal (=the rules about something) the rules governing food labeling
▪ a change in the rules I didn’t realise that there had been a change in the rules.
▪ a breach of the rules formal (=something that is against the rules) a serious breach of the rules
▪ rules and regulations The government keeps introducing more and more rules and regulations.
▪ rules are rules spoken (=a rule must be obeyed) Rules are rules and you have to abide by them.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ rule an instruction that says what people are allowed to do or not allowed to do, for example in a game, school, or company: the rules of baseball | He disobeyed the school rules.
▪ law an official rule that everyone in a country, city, or state must obey: It is against the law to carry a concealed weapon. | The law requires motorcyclists to wear helmets.
▪ regulation an official rule or order, which is part of a set of rules made by a government or organization: the regulations for applying for a passport | building regulations | environmental regulations on air pollution
▪ restriction an official rule that limits what people can do: new restrictions on immigration | The government is planning to impose regulations on the amount of alcohol you can bring into the country.
▪ guidelines rules or instructions about the best way to do something: the Department of Health’s guidelines for a healthy diet | guidelines for classroom teachers
▪ code a set of rules that people or organizations agree to obey but are not forced to obey: The school has a dress code for its students. | the company’s code of conduct
▪ statute formal a law that has been officially approved by a parliament, council etc, and written down: The statute banned corporal punishment.
▪ ordinance American English a law, made by a city or town, that forbids or restricts an activity: A local ordinance limited speed in the parks to ten miles an hour.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

rule

rule [rule rules ruled ruling] noun, verb [ruːl] [ruːl]

noun

OF ACTIVITY/GAME
1. countable a statement of what may, must or must not be done in a particular situation or when playing a game
• to follow/obey/observe the rules
• It's against all rules and regulations.
• to break a rule (= not follow it)
• This explains the rules under which the library operates.
• Without unwritten rules civilized life would be impossible.
• Normal competition rules apply.
• She laid down strict rules for her tenants including prompt payment of rent.

see also ground rule

ADVICE

2. countable a statement of what you are advised to do in a particular situation
• There are no hard and fast rules for planning healthy meals.
• The first rule is to make eye contact with your interviewer.

see also golden rule

HABIT/NORMALLY TRUE

3. countable, usually singular a habit; the normal state of things; what is true in most cases
• He makes it a rule never to borrow money.
• I go to bed early as a rule.
• Cold winters here are the exception rather than the rule (= are rare).

• As a general rule vegetable oils are better for you than animal fats.

OF SYSTEM

4. countable a statement of what is possible according to a particular system, for example the grammar of a language

• the rules of grammar

GOVERNMENT/CONTROL

5. uncountable the government of a country or control of a group of people by a particular person, group or system
• under Communist/civilian/military, etc. rule
• majority rule (= government by the political party that most people have voted for)
• The 1972 act imposed direct rule from Westminster.

see also home rule

MEASURING TOOL

6. countable a measuring instrument with a straight edge
see also slide rule
more at the exception proves the rule at exception
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French reule (noun), reuler (verb), from late Latin regulare, from Latin regula ‘straight stick’.
Thesaurus:
rule noun
1. C
• Tackling a player without the ball is against the rules.
regulation • • law • • legislation • • act • • statute • • commandment •
the rules/regulations/laws on sth
against the rules/regulations/laws
obey a rule/the regulations/a law/a commandment
break a rule/regulation/law/commandment
2. U
• The country was in the process of a return to civilian rule.
control • • power • • authority • • command • |formal jurisdiction •
rule/control/power/authority/command/jurisdiction over sb/sth
be under sb's rule/control/authority/command/jurisdiction
direct rule/control/authority/command
Example Bank:
• Among her friends, casual dress and a relaxed manner are the rule.
• As a rule, hardly anybody uses this road.
• Couldn't they just bend the rules and let us in without a ticket?
• Employees are bound by rules of confidentiality.
• Follow these few simple rules, and you won't go far wrong.
• He made his children's lives a misery with all his petty rules.
• I believed I was acting within the rules.
• If he wanted a loan he would have to play by the bank's rules.
• New accounting rules come into force next year.
• Several proposed rule changes have been announced.
• Tackling a player without the ball is against the rules.
• The Internet has changed the rules of business.
• The aim is to get each member country to adhere to a single set of rules.
• The competition rules provide that a cash alternative may be given.
• The country remained under direct rule by the occupying powers.
• The existing rules allow for some flexibility.
• The music was turned off at midnight, in accordance with the rules.
• The officials went strictly by the rule book.
• The packaging does not conform to EU rules.
• The president imposed emergency rule following the riots.
• The punishment depends on how the umpire interprets the rules.
• The referee applied the rules to the letter.
• The rules keep changing.
• The rules of dating have had to be rewritten, thanks to the movies.
• The rules on claiming have been tightened up.
• The rules were drawn up to make it fair for everyone.
• The sport has strict rules for player safety.
• Their action was in breach of Stock Exchange rules.
• There are few exceptions to the general rule that bars close at midnight.
• There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing a typeface.
• There seems to be one rule for the rich and another for the poor.
• Under this rule, only full members of the club are entitled to vote.
• What are the school rules about dress?
• What is the rule for forming plurals?
• You and your flatmates should establish some ground rules.
• You don't make the rules, you know.
• You should know the rules by now.
• a society based on the rule of law
• behaviour which is outside the rules
• federal rules on campaign fund-raising
• rules limiting imports
• the lawless days of mob rule
• the rules governing the importing of livestock
• the traditional rules of grammar
• Communist/military rule
• He occasionally allowed himself to break his own rule.
• He was punished for breaking school rules.
• He's a writer who doesn't seem to know the most basic rules of English grammar.
• I make it a rule never to mix business with pleasure.
• I've made it a rule not to talk to the press.
• It was an unspoken rule in my family that my mother was always right.
• It's one of my rules not to get into debt.
• Potatoes at the front of the stall and fruit at the back— that was his golden rule.
• She laid down strict rules for her tenants including prompt payment of rent.
• The first rule of interviews is to make eye contact with the interviewer.
• The golden rule of teaching is to remember that all children learn at different rates.
• There are no hard and fast rules for planning healthy meals.
• There are several exceptions to the rule ‘i” before “e” except after “c’.
• There was a gradual process of returning the country to civilian rule.
• Without unwritten rules civilized life would be impossible.
• a return to civilian/democratic/majority rule
• colonial/British/Ottoman rule
Idioms: bend the rules ▪ play by somebody's rules ▪ play by the rules ▪ rule of law ▪ rule of thumb ▪ rule the roost ▪ rule with a rod of iron ▪ rules of the game ▪ work to rule

Derived: rule off ▪ rule somebody out ▪ rule somebody out of something ▪ rule something off

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

rule

[ru͟ːl]
♦
rules, ruling, ruled
1) N-COUNT: oft N of n, N num Rules are instructions that tell you what you are allowed to do and what you are not allowed to do.
  ...a thirty-two-page pamphlet explaining the rules of basketball...
  Sikhs were expected to adhere strictly to the religious rules concerning appearance...
  Strictly speaking, this was against the rules.
  ...the amendment to Rule 22.
2) N-COUNT: oft N for/of n A rule is a statement telling people what they should do in order to achieve success or a benefit of some kind.
  An important rule is to drink plenty of water during any flight...
  By and large, the rules for healthy eating are the same during pregnancy as at any other time.
3) N-COUNT: oft N of n The rules of something such as a language or a science are statements that describe the way that things usually happen in a particular situation.
  It is a rule of English that adjectives generally precede the noun they modify.
  ...according to the rules of quantum theory.
4) N-SING: the N If something is the rule, it is the normal state of affairs.
  However, for many Americans today, weekend work has unfortunately become the rule rather than the exception.
5) VERB The person or group that rules a country controls its affairs.
  [V n] For four centuries, he says, foreigners have ruled Angola...
  He ruled for eight months.
  [V over n] ...the long line of feudal lords who had ruled over this land.
N-UNCOUNT: usu supp N
Rule is also a noun. ...demands for an end to one-party rule.
6) VERB If something rules your life, it influences or restricts your actions in a way that is not good for you.
  [V n] Scientists have always been aware of how fear can rule our lives and make us ill.
7) VERB When someone in authority rules that something is true or should happen, they state that they have officially decided that it is true or should happen. [FORMAL]
  [V that] The court ruled that laws passed by the assembly remained valid...
  [V on n] The Israeli court has not yet ruled on the case...
  [V n adj/n] A provincial magistrates' court last week ruled it unconstitutional...
  [V against n] Kenneth Clarke, the home secretary, ruled against her being allowed to stay in Britain. [Also V in favour of n]
  Syn:
  pronounce
8) VERB If you rule a straight line, you draw it using something that has a straight edge.
  [V-ed] ...a ruled grid of horizontal and vertical lines. [Also V n]
9) → See also golden rule, ground rule, ruling, slide rule
10) PHRASE: PHR with cl If you say that something happens as a rule, you mean that it usually happens.
  As a rule, however, such attacks have been aimed at causing damage rather than taking life.
  As a general rule, burglars are wary about gaining entry from the front or side of a building.
  Syn:
  generally, usually
11) PHRASE: V inflects If someone in authority bends the rules or stretches the rules, they do something even though it is against the rules.
  There happens to be a particular urgency in this case, and it would help if you could bend the rules.
12) PHRASE: rule inflects A rule of thumb is a rule or principle that you follow which is not based on exact calculations, but rather on experience.
  A good rule of thumb is that a broker must generate sales of ten times his salary if his employer is to make a profit...
  As a rule of thumb, a cup of filter coffee contains about 80mg of caffeine.
13) PHRASE: V inflects If workers work to rule, they protest by working according to the rules of their job without doing any extra work or taking any new decisions. [BRIT]
  Nurses are continuing to work to rule.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - rule in
  - rule out
  - rule out of

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹rule /ˈruːl/ noun, pl rules
1 [count]
a : a statement that tells you what is or is not allowed in a particular game, situation, etc.
• I understand the basic rules of chess.
• As long as you're living under our roof, you'll follow/obey our rules.
• The college has strict rules for qualifying for financial assistance.
• The new rule allows/permits employees to dress casually on Fridays.
• Under the new rules, casual dress is now allowed.
• the company's rules and regulations
• It's important to learn the rules of the road before taking your driving test.
• It's against the rules to eat during class.
• He violated the unwritten/unspoken rule that you must thank your host before you leave a party.
• We cannot bend/stretch the rules [=change or ignore the rules] just for you.
• If you break the rules, you'll be asked to leave.
- see also gag rule, ground rule synonyms seelaw
b : a statement that tells you what is allowed or what will happen within a particular system (such as a language or science)
• the rules of grammar
• the rules of geometry
2 [count] : a piece of advice about the best way to do something
• Your speech will go well as long as you follow one simple rule: be confident.
• The first rule of driving is to pay attention.
• A good rule to follow when traveling is to do as the locals do.
3 [singular] : the way something usually is done or happens
• As a rule, I don't drive in the snow. [=I don't usually drive in the snow]
• As a general rule, electronic gadgets become smaller as they develop.
• Friendly customer service seems to be the exception rather than the rule nowadays. [=friendly customer service seems to be rare these days]
• They make it a rule to treat everyone fairly. [=they always treat everyone fairly]
4 [noncount] : the control and power that a particular person, group, or government has over a country or area
• Today we celebrate the anniversary of the country's independence from colonial rule.
• Under her rule, the country prospered.
- see also home rule, majority rule
5 [count] old-fashioned : a stick used for measuring things : ruler
- see also slide rule
by the rules : in the way that is most common, expected, and acceptable
• After years of boredom, he grew tired of living by the rules.
• She has always played by the rules throughout her career.
rule of law : a situation in which the laws of a country are obeyed by everyone
• The courts uphold the rule of law.
rule of thumb
1 : a method of doing something that is based on experience and common sense rather than exact calculation
• A good rule of thumb for keeping your closet organized is to get rid of any clothes you haven't worn in the past year.
2 : a principle that is believed and followed and that is based on the way something usually happens or is done
• As a rule of thumb, stocks that involve greater risk also have the potential of earning you more money.

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law

law [noun] (RULE)

US

/lɑː/

UK

/lɔː/

Example:

He studied law for four years.

The area of knowledge or study dealing with systems of rules and the way that they work

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

He studied law for four years.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Oxford Essential Dictionary

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

law

law S1 W1 /lɔː $ lɒː/ noun
[Word Family: noun: law, lawyer, outlaw, lawfulness, lawlessness; verb: outlaw; adverb: lawfully ≠ unlawfully; adjective: lawful ≠ unlawful]
[Language: Old English; Origin: lagu]
1. SYSTEM OF RULES [uncountable] (also the law) the whole system of rules that people in a particular country or area must obey:
   • Elected officials ought to obey the law.
  by law
   • By law, seat belts must be worn by all passengers.
  under English/international etc law
   • This is illegal under English law.
2. A RULE [countable] a rule that people in a particular country or area must obey:
   • laws passed by Parliament
  under a law
   • Five people arrested under anti-terrorism laws were released without charge.
  law on
   • European laws on equal opportunities
  law against
   • The laws against drug use were very strict.
3. law and order a situation in which people respect the law, and crime is controlled by the police, the prison system etc:
   • We are concerned about the breakdown of law and order in the country.
4. POLICE the law the police:
   • I think she may be in trouble with the law.
5. WHAT ALWAYS HAPPENS [countable] something that always happens in nature or society, or a statement that describes this
  law of
   • the law of supply and demand
   • the laws of nature
   • the law of gravity
6. STUDY/PROFESSION [uncountable] (also the law) law as a subject of study, or the profession of being a lawyer:
   • She’s studying law in London.
7. SPORT/ACTIVITY [countable] one of the rules which controls a sport or activity:
   • the laws of football
8. the law of the jungle
   a) the idea that people should only look after themselves and not care about other people if they want to succeed
   b) the principle that only the strongest creatures will stay alive
9. the law of averages the probability that one result will happen as often as another if you try something often enough:
   • The law of averages says we’ll win at least once.
10. be a law unto himself/herself etc to behave in an independent way and not worry about the usual rules of behaviour or what other people do or think:
   • Boys his age are a law unto themselves.
11. take the law into your own hands to do something illegal in order to put right something that you think is not fair, for example by violently punishing someone instead of telling the police:
   • vigilantes who take the law into their own hands
12. go to law to go to court in order to settle a problem:
   • the right of consumers to go to law if they need to
13. be above the law someone who is above the law does not have to obey the law:
   • Many ministers seem to regard themselves as being above the law.
14. there’s no law against something spoken used to tell someone who is criticizing you that you are not doing anything wrong
15. there ought to be a law against something spoken used to say that you do not think something should be accepted or allowed:
   • There ought to be a law against cutting off power supplies in the middle of February.
16. sb’s word is law used to say that someone is always obeyed without argument
⇨ Sod’s law, ⇨ lay down the law at LAY DOWN(3), ⇨ unwritten law at unwritten
     • • •

COLLOCATIONS(for Meanings 1 & 2)■ verbs

   ▪ obey the law • Citizens have a duty to obey the law.
   ▪ break the law (=do something illegal) • Is the company breaking the law?
   ▪ pass a law • New Jersey passed a law requiring helmets for scooter riders.
   ▪ become law (=officially be made a law) • For a bill to become law, it must be approved by both Houses of Parliament.
   ▪ make laws • Part of the function of Parliament is to make laws.
   ▪ introduce a law • In 1989, a new law was introduced to protect the Polish language.
   ▪ enforce a law (=make people obey a law) • It is the job of the police to enforce the law.
   ▪ flout a law (=deliberately disobey a law) • Employers who flout the law should be properly punished.
   ▪ repeal a law (=officially end a law) • Many people want the law to be repealed.
   ▪ a law prohibits something (=says that it is not allowed) • The law prohibits possession of these animals.

■ phrases

▪ something is against the law (=it is illegal) • The children knew that shoplifting was against the law.
▪ stay/act within the law (=not do illegal things) • The security forces must act within the law.

■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + law

   ▪ strict/tough • the country’s strict anti-tobacco laws
   ▪ tax/copyright/divorce etc law(s) • an accountant who knows about tax law
   ▪ criminal law (=laws concerning crimes) • Criminal law contains definitions of such crimes as murder, rape, and robbery.
   ▪ civil law (=laws concerning disagreements between people, rather than crimes) • The punishment for breaking civil law is usually a fine.
   ▪ international law (=laws that all countries agree to obey) • Under international law, the countries must respect the treaty.
   ▪ English/German etc law • This is not an offence under English law.
   ▪ federal law (=the law of the US, not a particular state) • Under federal law, it is illegal to discriminate against employees because of race or sex.
   ▪ state law (=the law in a US state) • Under state law it was illegal for any public official to receive gifts worth more than $100.
   ▪ common law (=laws that have come from customs and the decisions of judges) • In common law, if a house is rented out, it is expected that the house is safe to live in.
   ▪ case law (=law based on previous court cases) • There is little case law covering this issue.
     • • •

THESAURUS

   ▪ rule an instruction that says what people are allowed to do or not allowed to do, for example in a game, school, or company: • the rules of baseball | • He disobeyed the school rules.
   ▪ law an official rule that everyone in a country, city, or state must obey: • It is against the law to carry a concealed weapon. | • The law requires motorcyclists to wear helmets.
   ▪ regulation an official rule or order, which is part of a set of rules made by a government or organization: • the regulations for applying for a passport | • building regulations | • environmental regulations on air pollution
   ▪ restriction an official rule that limits what people can do: • new restrictions on immigration | • The government is planning to impose regulations on the amount of alcohol you can bring into the country.
   ▪ guidelines rules or instructions about the best way to do something: • the Department of Health’s guidelines for a healthy diet | • guidelines for classroom teachers
   ▪ code a set of rules that people or organizations agree to obey but are not forced to obey: • The school has a dress code for its students. | • the company’s code of conduct
   ▪ statute formal a law that has been officially approved by a parliament, council etc, and written down: • The statute banned corporal punishment.
   ▪ ordinance American English a law, made by a city or town, that forbids or restricts an activity: • A local ordinance limited speed in the parks to ten miles an hour.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

law

law [law laws] [lɔː] [lɔː] noun

SYSTEM OF RULES

1. (also the law) uncountable the whole system of rules that everyone in a country or society must obey

• If they entered the building they would be breaking the law.

• In Sweden it is against the law to hit a child.

• Defence attorneys can use any means within the law to get their client off.

• British schools are now required by law to publish their exam results.

• The reforms have recently become law.

• Do not think you are above the law (= think that you cannot be punished by the law).

• the need for better law enforcement

• (humorous) Kate's word was law in the Brown household.

2. uncountable a particular branch of the law

• company/international/tax, etc. law

see also canon law, case law, civil law, common law, private law, statute law

ONE RULE

3. countable a rule that deals with a particular crime, agreement, etc

• ~ (against sth) the 1996 law against the hiring of illegal immigrants

• ~ (on sth) The government has introduced some tough new laws on food hygiene.

• strict gun laws

• a federal/state law

• to pass a law (= officially make it part of the system of laws)

• (informal) There ought to be a law against it!

see also by-law, licensing laws

SUBJECT/PROFESSION

4. uncountable the study of the law as a subject at university, etc; the profession of being a lawyer

• Jane is studying law.

• (NAmE) He's in law school.

• (BrE) He's at law school.

• What made you go into law?

• a law firm

POLICE

5. the law singular used to refer to the police and the legal system

• Jim is always getting into trouble with the law.

• She was well known for her brushes with the law.

OF ORGANIZATION/ACTIVITY

6. countable one of the rules which controls an organization or activity

• the laws of the Church

• The first law of kung fu is to defend yourself.

• the laws of cricket

• the laws of war

OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR

7. countable a rule for good behaviour or how you should behave in a particular place or situation

• moral laws

• the unspoken laws of the street

IN BUSINESS/NATURE/SCIENCE

8. countable the fact that sth always happens in the same way in an activity or in nature

Syn: principle

• the laws of supply and demand

• the law of gravity

9. countable a scientific rule that sb has stated to explain a natural process

• the first law of thermodynamics

see also Murphy's Law, Parkinson's law, Sod's Law, legal, legalize, legislate

more at the letter of the law at letter n., possession is nine points/tenths/parts of the law at possession, the rule of law at rule n., on the wrong side of the law at wrong adj.

Idioms: a law unto yourself ▪ go to law ▪ law and order ▪ law of averages ▪ law of the jungle ▪ lay down the law ▪ take the law into your own hands ▪ there's no law against something

Word Origin:

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

Culture:

the legal system

In Britain, for historical reasons, the system of law used in Scotland is different from that in England and Wales, with the law in Northern Ireland similar to that in England. When making decisions Scottish courts look for an appropriate general principle and apply it to a particular situation. English law relies on case law, a collection of previous decisions, called precedents. English courts look at precedents for the case being tried and make a similar judgement. A basic principle of law in Britain is that anyone accused is innocent until proven guilty, so it is the job of the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant (= the person accused) has broken the law as stated in the charge. If this cannot be proved the person must be acquitted (= allowed to go free, with no blame attached).

British law is divided into civil law which concerns disagreements between individuals about matters such as business contracts, and criminal law which deals with offences that involve harm to a person resulting from somebody breaking the law. In civil cases, the plaintiff (= the person who claims to have been wronged) brings an action against the defendant in the hope of winning damages (= a financial payment) or an injunction (= a court order preventing the defendant from doing something). Criminal cases are brought against criminals by the state, in England and Wales by the Director of Public Prosecutions and in Scotland through procurators fiscal.

In England and Wales most towns have a Magistrates' Court where minor cases are judged and more serious cases are passed to higher courts by three magistrates called Justices of the Peace, specially trained members of the public. The more serious cases are heard in a Crown Court by a judge and a jury. Minor civil cases, such as divorce and bankruptcy, are heard in the county courts and more serious ones in the High Court of Justice. Appeals against decisions from the Crown Court or the High Court go to the Court of Appeal and a few cases, where a question of law is in doubt, are passed to the House of Lords.

In Scotland, criminal cases are heard in District Courts by members of the public called lay justices. More serious cases go to regional sheriff courts and are heard by the sheriff and a jury. Appeals go to the High Court of Justiciary in Edinburgh. Civil cases begin in the sheriff court and may go on appeal to the Court of Session.

In the US, the judicial system is one of the three branches of the federal government, but the legal system operates at many levels with state, county and city courts as well as federal courts. The right to trial by jury is provided by the Constitution. Each type of court has its own jurisdiction, that is it deals with certain kinds of cases. Both civil and criminal cases are first heard in trial courts and there is a right to appeal against the court’s decision in a court of appeals. Many states have family courts where people get divorced and small claims courts which deal with small amounts of money. States also have trial courts, which hear a wider range of cases, and courts of appeal called superior courts or district courts. Most states have a supreme court where the most serious appeals are held. States have their own criminal code, but some crimes are federal offences, i.e. against federal law, and crimes may fall under federal jurisdiction if more than one state is involved.

Most courts have only one judge, but some higher courts have several. In the US Supreme Court, the nine judges are called justices. The people on either side of a case are represented by lawyers, also called attorneys-at-law. In a criminal trial the defendant is represented by a defense attorney, or if he or she is too poor to pay a lawyer, the court will appoint a public defender. The prosecution is led by an assistant district attorney or, in federal cases, by a federal attorney.

Thesaurus:

law noun

1. the law U

• Driving without insurance is against the law.

legislation • • constitution • • code • • charter •

(the) civil/criminal law/legislation/code

break the law/a code

be enshrined in law/legislation/the constitution/a charter

2. C

• They are introducing tough new laws against gun crime.

legislation • • rule • • regulation • • act • • statute • • commandment •

(a) law/legislation/rule against sth

pass (a/an) law/legislation/regulation/act/statute

break a law/rule/regulation/commandment

3. C, U

• He behaved as though moral laws did not exist.

principle • • rule • |formal tenet •

the law/principle/rule/tenet that…

a basic/fundamental law/principle/rule/tenet

a moral law/principle/rule

4. C

• the laws of supply and demand

principle • • rule • • theory • |technical theorem •

the law/principle/rule/theory/theorem that…

a basic/fundamental law/principle/rule/theory/theorem

a law/principle/rule/theory/theorem states that…

Collocations:

Criminal justice

Breaking the law

break/violate/obey/uphold the law

be investigated/arrested/tried for a crime/a robbery/fraud

be arrested/ (especially NAmE) indicted/convicted on charges of rape/fraud/(especially US) felony charges

be arrested on suspicion of arson/robbery/shoplifting

be accused of/be charged with murder/(especially NAmE) homicide/four counts of fraud

face two charges of indecent assault

admit your guilt/liability/responsibility (for sth)

deny the allegations/claims/charges

confess to a crime

grant/be refused/be released on/skip/jump bail

The legal process

stand/await/bring sb to/come to/be on trial

take sb to/come to/settle sth out of court

face/avoid/escape prosecution

seek/retain/have the right to/be denied access to legal counsel

hold/conduct/attend/adjourn a hearing/trial

sit on/influence/persuade/convince the jury

sit/stand/appear/be put/place sb in the dock

plead guilty/not guilty to a crime

be called to/enter (BrE) the witness box

take/put sb on the stand/(NAmE) the witness stand

call/subpoena/question/cross-examine a witness

give/hear the evidence against/on behalf of sb

raise/withdraw/overrule an objection

reach a unanimous/majority verdict

return/deliver/record a verdict of not guilty/unlawful killing/accidental death

convict/acquit the defendant of the crime

secure a conviction/your acquittal

lodge/file an appeal

appeal (against)/challenge/uphold/overturn a conviction/verdict

Sentencing and punishment

pass sentence on sb

carry/face/serve a seven-year/life sentence

receive/be given the death penalty

be sentenced to ten years (in prison/jail)

carry/impose/pay a fine (of $3 000)/a penalty (of 14 years imprisonment)

be imprisoned/jailed for drug possession/fraud/murder

do/serve time/ten years

be sent to/put sb in/be released from jail/prison

be/put sb/spend X years on death row

be granted/be denied/break (your) parole

more collocations at crime

Example Bank:

• A presidential veto prevented the bill from becoming law.

• As the law stands, you can get married at sixteen.

• As the law stands, you can get married while still too young to have a driving licence.

• By law, you are obliged to install smoke alarms in the factory.

• Congress amended the law in 1998.

• Environmental laws are strict about polluting precious water.

• In spite of the difficulties it would cause her family, the judge stuck to the letter of the law and jailed her.

• It's the job of the police to enforce the law.

• Judges interpret this law in different ways.

• Laws criminalizing same-sex relationships were ruled unconstitutional.

• Martial law was imposed to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

• No one is above the law.

• Parliament voted for the bill to become law.

• She lost her job at a Boston law office.

• She's at law school.

• The building was raided by law enforcement agents.

• The company is operating entirely within the law.

• The law applies equally to businesses large and small.

• The law forbids gambling of any kind.

• The law is clear: bribery is wrong.

• The wearing of a crash helmet is required by law.

• We believe this law is unconstitutional.

• What you did was clearly against the law.

• When police failed to arrest the suspect, local people took the law into their own hands and beat him up.

• a law limiting the hours of work to ten hours per day

• a law recognizing civil unions for same-sex couples

• a local law against keeping horses

• a room filled with law books

• individuals who are acting beyond the law

• rebels who live outside the law

• the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became the law of the land on July 2, 1964.

• the broader implications of copyright law reform

• the law concerning industrial action ballots

• the law governing school attendance

• the law relating to the sale of goods

• the laws regarding child actors

• the laws regulating firearms

• the legislators who drafted the law

• the passage of a restrictive immigration law in 1924

• Do you remember anything about Ohm's Law?

• He frequently behaved as though moral laws did not exist.

• He specializes in international law.

• He was charged under the 1996 law against hiring illegal immigrants.

• If they entered the building they would be breaking the law.

• The country has very strict gun laws.

• The reforms have recently become law.

• The usual laws of supply and demand do not seem to apply in this case.

• Their world is shaped by their parents' attitudes and the unspoken law of the street.

• Who first defined the law of gravity?

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

law

[lɔ͟ː]

laws
1) N-SING: the N The law is a system of rules that a society or government develops in order to deal with crime, business agreements, and social relationships. You can also use the law to refer to the people who work in this system.
  Obscene and threatening phone calls are against the law...
  They are seeking permission to begin criminal proceedings against him for breaking the law on financing political parties...
  There must be changes in the law quickly to stop this sort of thing ever happening to anyone else...
  The book analyses why women kill and how the law treats them.
2) N-UNCOUNT: usu adj N Law is used to refer to a particular branch of the law, such as criminal law or company law.
  He was a professor of criminal law at Harvard University law school...
  Under international law, diplomats living in foreign countries are exempt from criminal prosecution...
  Important questions of constitutional law were involved.
3) N-COUNT: oft n N A law is one of the rules in a system of law which deals with a particular type of agreement, relationship, or crime.
  ...the country's liberal political asylum law...
  The law was passed on a second vote.
4) N-PLURAL: the N of n, supp N The laws of an organization or activity are its rules, which are used to organize and control it.
  ...the laws of the Church of England...
  Match officials should not tolerate such behaviour but instead enforce the laws of the game.
  Syn:
  rule
5) N-COUNT A law is a rule or set of rules for good behaviour which is considered right and important by the majority of people for moral, religious, or emotional reasons.
  ...inflexible moral laws.
  Syn:
  code
6) N-COUNT: with supp A law is a natural process in which a particular event or thing always leads to a particular result.
  The laws of nature are absolute.
7) N-COUNT: with supp A law is a scientific rule that someone has invented to explain a particular natural process.
  ...the law of gravity.
8) N-UNCOUNT Law or the law is all the professions which deal with advising people about the law, representing people in court, or giving decisions and punishments.
  A career in law is becoming increasingly attractive to young people...
  Nearly 100 law firms are being referred to the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal.
9) N-UNCOUNT Law is the study of systems of law and how laws work.
  He came to Oxford and studied law...
  He holds a law degree from Bristol University.
10) → See also court of law, rule of law
11) PHRASE: v-link PHR (disapproval) If you accuse someone of thinking they are above the law, you criticize them for thinking that they are so clever or important that they do not need to obey the law.
  One opposition member of parliament accuses the government of wanting to be above the law...
  He considered himself above the law.
12) PHRASE The law of averages is the idea that something is sure to happen at some time, because of the number of times it generally happens or is expected to happen.
  On the law of averages we just can't go on losing and losing and losing.
13) PHRASE: PHR with cl If you have to do something by law or if you are not allowed to do something by law, the law states that you have to do it or that you are not allowed to do it.
  By law all restaurants must display their prices outside...
  Minicabs are prohibited by law from touting passers-by for business.
14) PHRASE: V inflects If you go to law, you go to court in order to get a legal judgement on a dispute. [mainly BRIT]
  He went to law and did not succeed in his claim against us.
15) PHRASE: V inflects (disapproval) If you say that someone lays down the law, you are critical of them because they give other people orders and they think that they are always right.
  ...traditional parents, who believed in laying down the law for their offspring.
16) PHRASE: V inflects If someone takes the law into their own hands, they punish someone or do something to put a situation right, instead of waiting for the police or the legal system to take action.
  The speeding motorist was pinned to the ground by angry locals who took the law into their own hands until police arrived.
17) PHRASE: v-link PHR If you say that someone is a law unto himself or herself, you mean that they behave in an independent way, ignoring laws, rules, or conventional ways of doing things.
  Some of the landowners were a law unto themselves. There was nobody to check their excesses and they exploited the people.
18) Sod's law → see sod

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

law

law /ˈlɑː/ noun, pl laws
1 [noncount]
a : the whole system or set of rules made by the government of a town, state, country, etc.
• People who are supposed to obey the law also need to know their rights under the law. [=according to the law]
• The courts exist to uphold, interpret, and apply the law.
• state/federal law
• Stealing is against the law. [=stealing is illegal]
• He denied that he had broken/violated the law. [=that he had done anything illegal]
• You have to pay taxes. That's the law of the land. [=the set of rules that exists in a certain place]
• The job of the police is to enforce the law. [=make sure that people obey the law]
• He's interested in a career in law enforcement. [=a career as a police officer]
• (US) Law enforcement officials [=police officials] in the area were alerted of the suspect's escape.
- see also martial law
b : a particular kind of law
• a lawyer who specializes in criminal/contract/immigration law
- see also common law
2 : a rule made by the government of a town, state, country, etc.

[count]

• A law requires that schools provide a safe learning environment. = There is a law requiring schools to provide a safe learning environment.
• In our civics class we learned how a bill becomes a law.
• She has proposed a new law to protect people from being evicted unfairly.
- often + on or against
• Congress passed several new laws on the environment. [=laws relating to the environment]
• a law against unfair eviction [=a law that makes unfair eviction illegal]
• We need stricter laws against discrimination.

[noncount]

• Schools are required by law to provide a safe learning environment.
• The bill will become law at the beginning of the year.
• With the majority voting in favor, the bill has been passed into law. [=the bill became a law]
• The bill was signed into law by the governor. [=the proposed law became officially active when the governor signed it]
3 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
• They called in the law [=the police] to determine what should be done next.
• He's been in and out of trouble with the law for the last 10 years.
4 [noncount]
a : the job of a lawyer : the legal profession
• She's been thinking about going into law. [=thinking about becoming a lawyer]
• a career in law
• The company hired a large law firm [=a group of lawyers who work together as a business] to handle the case.
• She practices law [=she works as a lawyer] with a firm in Boston.
- see also attorney at law
b : the area of study that relates to laws and how they are used
• a professor of law
• studying law
• going to law school [=a school that trains you to become a lawyer]
5 : a religious rule

[count]

• the body of Islamic laws

[noncount]

• according to Jewish law
6 [count]
a : a rule stating that something (such as an art or profession) should be done in a certain way
• the laws of poetry
• He teaches his students that balance is the first law of architecture. [=balance is the most important principle in architecture]
b Brit : a rule in a sport or game
• the laws [=rules] of tennis
7 [count] : a statement that describes how something works in the natural world - often + of
• the law of gravity
• the laws of nature/physics
• Newton's laws of motion
above the law : not required to obey the law
• No one is above the law. [=everyone must obey the law]
• He complains that the new policy places corporations above the law. [=that the new policy allows corporations to do things that are not legal]
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.
• I've warned him that he can't keep behaving this way, but he won't listen. He seems to think that he's a law unto himself. [=that he can do whatever he wants to do]
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
• The police work to preserve law and order.
• a breakdown of law and order
lay down the law
- see lay down at ¹lay
outside the law
1 : not agreeing with the law
• actions that may have been outside the law [=illegal]
2 : in an illegal way
• Investigators were unable to prove that the business was operating outside the law. [=illegally]
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
• Police are concerned that the victim's family may try to take the law into their own hands. [=may try to punish the criminal themselves instead of allowing the legal system to do it]
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
• I can't believe that team has lost 12 games in a row. The law of averages says that they should have won at least one game by now.
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
• an industry governed by the law of the jungle
the long arm of the law
- see ¹arm
within the law
1 : agreeing with the law
• He says that everything he did was within the law. [=legal]
2 : in a legal way
• With the organization under so much scrutiny, it is even more important that they work/operate within the law. [=legally]
your word is law
✦If your word is law, other people must do what you say
• He'll listen to suggestions, but in the end, his word is law. 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.
• According to a state law, all drivers must pass a written test before they can be fully licensed. A rule usually does not involve an official government. It typically describes what people are allowed to do in a game or in a particular place (such as a school).
• He explained the rules of football.
• The rules state clearly that smoking is prohibited on campus. A regulation is made by a government to protect people from being harmed.
• Safety regulations limit the number of hours an airline pilot can fly each month. statute is a formal word for a law made by a government.
• The new statute requires that all passengers in a car wear seatbelts. In the U.S., an ordinance is a law that is made by a local government and applies only to a limited area.
• The new city ordinance restricts parking on some streets.