noun
law
law
noun
1
The system of rules that a country or community uses to govern behavior and enforce order.
"Breaking the speed limit is against the law."
"She studied law for four years before becoming a solicitor."
2
A specific rule created by a governing authority.
"Parliament passed a new law banning single-use plastics."
3
A statement describing a consistent pattern or relationship in nature or science.
"Newton's law of gravity explains why objects fall to the ground."
How to Use Law
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe rules a society lives by, whether made by governments or observed in nature.
Common pairings
break the law
practice law
law of gravity
against the law
Word Forms
lawed past tense, laws plural, laws plural, laws plural, Laws plural, Laws plural, laws singular
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Breaking the speed limit is against the _____.
Etymology
From Old English lagu, borrowed from Old Norse lög, literally "things laid down" — related to the verb lay.