rule of law

American  

noun

1. the principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced; the principle of government by law.

---

Usage

What is the rule of law? The rule of law refers to the idea that everyone in a society agrees to be governed by and follow the laws of a society.

Etymology

Origin of rule of law

First recorded in 1500–10

Example Sentences

Tusk, speaking through an interpreter, said the UK and Poland's "shared values", including rule of law and human rights, provided the "foundation of the treaty".

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Human Rights Watch called the court order "the latest deeply damaging blow to the rule of law, democracy and human rights" in Turkey.

From Barron's • May 24, 2026

Noteworthy, too, is that the rule of law lives in Virginia.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Throughout the tense exchange in Justice Samuel Alito’s concurrence and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s dissent, they spar over when the clock of the rule of law should start and stop.

From Slate • May 5, 2026

“However, the Oakland Police Department cannot comment on pending investigations, nor can it subvert the rule of law in this city.”

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro