international law

American  

noun

1. the body of rules that nations generally recognize as binding in their conduct toward one another.

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international law British  

noun

1. the body of rules generally recognized by civilized nations as governing their conduct towards each other and towards each other's subjects

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international law Cultural  

1. A body of rules and principles that govern the relations among nations. (See Geneva Conventions and International Court of Justice.)

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Etymology

Origin of international law

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

All of this violates both domestic and international law.

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson condemned the attacks as a “gross violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.”

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

Under international law, this means they are allowed to stay in the country while their asylum application is considered.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

The resolution welcomes the ICJ opinion "as an authoritative contribution to the clarification of existing international law" and calls on states to "comply with their respective obligations" to protect the global climate.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

Supreme Court ruled the death penalty for nonhomicides unconstitutional and international law strongly disfavors the practice.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander