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• law and order
  law and order

  noun

  strict control of crime and repression of violence, sometimes involving the possible restriction of civil rights.
• law-and-order
  law-and-order

  noun

  (modifier) favouring or advocating strong measures to suppress crime and violence

law and order

American  

noun

1. strict control of crime and repression of violence, sometimes involving the possible restriction of civil rights.

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law-and-order British  

noun

1. (modifier) favouring or advocating strong measures to suppress crime and violence

   a law-and-order candidate

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law and order Idioms  

1. Strict enforcement of laws, especially for controlling crime. For example, Our candidate is always talking about law and order. The concept behind this term was stated by Aristotle. Today, however, it also carries the implication of infringing on civil rights in the course of too arduous law enforcement. [Late 1500s]

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Etymology

Origin of law and order

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

Here are the legal personalities keeping law and order in the Oakland, Calif., courthouse:

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

The GOP, led by Ronald Reagan, found success throughout the 1980s by focusing on law and order.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026

“In his new role as acting attorney general, Todd will continue to be a tireless advocate for sanity, law and order, and policies that keep Americans safe.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Also a former justice minister, Dati wants to boost law and order by giving weapons to municipal police officers and increasing video surveillance.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

Through our attorneys, we notified the minister of law and order, the commissioner of police, and the regional commissioner, warning them of the impending attacks and urging them to take the proper action.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• calm
• calmness
• coolness
• equanimity
• serenity
• stillness