Word family noun law lawyer outlaw lawfulness lawlessness adjective lawful ≠ unlawful verb outlaw adverb lawfully ≠ unlawfully
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishlawlaw /lɔː $ lɒː/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 1 system of rules [uncountable] (also the law)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]RULE/REGULATION a rule that people in a particular country or area must obey laws passed by Parliamentunder a law Five people arrested under anti-terrorism laws were released without charge.law on European laws on equal opportunitieslaw against The laws against drug use were very strict.► see thesaurus at rule3 → law and order4 → the law5 NORMALwhat always happens [countable] something that always happens in nature or society, or a statement that describes thislaw of the law of supply and demand the laws of nature the law of gravity6 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]RULE/REGULATION one of the rules which controls a sport or activity the laws of football 8 → the law of the jungle9 → the law of averages10 → be a law unto himself/herself etc11 → take the law into your own hands12 → go to law13 → be above the law14 → there’s no law against something15 → there ought to be a law against something16 → somebody’s word is law → Sod's law, → lay down the law at lay, → unwritten law at unwrittenCOLLOCATIONS – Meanings 1 & 2verbsobey the lawCitizens have a duty to obey the law.break the law (=do something illegal)Is the company breaking the law?pass a lawNew 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 lawsPart of the function of Parliament is to make laws.introduce a lawIn 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who flout the law should be properly punished.repeal a law (=officially end a law)Many people want the law to be repealed.a law prohibits something (=says that it is not allowed)The law prohibits possession of these animals.phrasessomething is against the law (=it is illegal)The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 + lawstrict/toughthe country’s strict anti-tobacco lawstax/copyright/divorce etc law(s)an accountant who knows about tax lawcriminal 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 lawThis 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. Examples from the Corpus
law• By law, an advertiser can't use a person's name for commercial purposes without permission.• the economic law of supply and demand• In 1873 French law was imposed in Vietnam.• Both specific and general laws on child prostitution exist.• The current gun laws vary from state to state.• Refugees are accorded special protection under international law• Under the new law, anyone who assists in a suicide faces 10 years in prison.• tough new laws on immigration• She practices law in New York.• The soldiers were brought in to restore law and order after the riots.• Japan has very strict laws against guns and drugs.• Andrew is studying law at Harvard University.• It's against the law to be drunk in public.• I didn't realize I was breaking the law.• FIFA is the organization that runs world football and decides whether any of the laws should be changed.• The law defines drunkenness as a certain percentage of alcohol in the blood.• the law of gravity• the laws of cricket• This law makes it illegal to smoke in public places.under a law• The Mosser and Murray deaths qualify for the federal death penalty under a law passed in August 1994.• The offence was still not covered by any effective punishment under law.• So the child may still have no redress under law.• Revival under Law, 1911-1914 Few contemporaries would have expected Balfour's retirement to lead to a Unionist recovery.• Second, it would ensure that workers enjoyed positive rights under law and reduce the emphasis of union immunities.• Do you feel the tradition of citizenship and the tradition of parliamentary rule under law are incompatible?• So under Law the language of the boardroom became commonplace on the platforms and in the propaganda of the party.From Longman Business Dictionarylawlaw /lɔːlɒː/ noun1[singular, uncountable]LAW the whole system of rules that citizens of a country must obeyIt is against the law (=illegal) for children to work before they are fifteen.There were easy profits for businessmen who were prepared to break the law (=do something illegal).The inheritance tax changes announced in the Budget became law (=were officially made a law).By law (=according to the law) a company like British Gas has to hold a meeting of its shareholders once a year.They make tough business deals, but are always careful to operate within the law (=do only legal things).2[countable]LAW a rule that people in a particular country, city, or local area must obeya new state law, limiting insurance companies’ junk-bond holdings to 20% of assetslaw onlaws on the distribution of tobacco products → see also bylaw3rule of lawLAW when the people in a country obey the lawsThe state was too weak to impose the rule of law.4[uncountable]LAW the study of laws, or the profession of being a lawyerPeter is a law student.Jackson studied law at Oxford University.She’s a partner in a major New York law firm.5[countable] a way in which things happen in an activity such as business, which is thought of as a rule because it seems impossible to changethe law of supply and demand → see also Pareto's LawOrigin law Old English lagu 