Language Research

law · noun

/lɔː/Full view

Word family

Nouns: law, lawyer, outlaw

Adjectives: lawful, lawless, unlawful

Verbs: outlaw

Adverbs: lawfully, unlawfully

law (SUBJECT)

B1 U the subject or job of understanding and dealing with the official laws of a country

Dictionary examples:

to study/practice law

a law school/firm

civil/criminal/international law

Learner example:

Her name is Martina, she is twenty-one years old and she studies law in Bologna. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

law (RULE)

B2 C or U an official rule made by a government

Dictionary examples:

state/federal law

labor/immigration laws

We have a law in this state that drivers must wear seatbelts.

Many states have passed laws against using a cell phone while driving.

The law is intended to protect wildlife.

Motor vehicle insurance is required by law.

Learner example:

There is a special law in Sweden which allows everyone to wander along any private estate unless one causes any harm. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

the law

B2 the system of official rules in a country

Dictionary examples:

Playing loud music late at night is against the law.

The judge ruled that the directors had knowingly broken the law.

You can't take that course of action and remain within the law.

Learner example:

As a result, the law is being constantly broken. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

law (STATEMENT)

C2 C a statement or relationship that is always true in science, mathematics, etc.

Dictionary examples:

the laws of physics

the law of averages/gravity

Learner example:

Everything seamed less real or less personal when she thought of the universe as an ent[i]ty and of people as cells or even atoms circling freneti[cal]ly around an unseen nucle[u]s bound by laws of physics that could not be broken or avoided. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

take the law into your own hands

C2 to do something illegal in order to punish someone because you know that the law will not punish that person

Dictionary example:

The police did nothing about the thefts, so they took the law into their own hands.

Learner example:

Therefore, locals are scared to death, leading to their taking the law into their own hands. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

by law

C1 If you have to do something by law, it is illegal not to do it.

Dictionary example:

They have to provide a contract by law.

Learner example:

They consist in preparing e-mails or letters, all formal, giving explanations to clients about their fiscal situation in Brazil, preparing and calculating tax returns, providing to [the] IRS our clients asset positions, which is required by law and also, having meetings with clients - this is the most important and exciting part of our work. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Portuguese)

law and order

C2 the obeying of laws in society

Dictionary example:

a breakdown in law and order

Learner example:

The breakdown in law and order, lack of basic amenities to support life, absence of a fair and enabling enviro[n]ment for citizens to thrive, to mention but a few, are some among many factors [that] constitute the cogent reason why most Nigerians choose to travel out of their own country. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Efik)