at law

American

[at law] / ˌæt ˈlɔ /

adverb

Law.

(of legal proceedings or remedies) under the law, sometimes according to the common law or codified law, rather than to what is fair in a particular case; by law.

The will, now lost, would have benefited the whole community, but at law the next of kin is the sole heir.

Etymology

Origin of at law

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

at law

Andrew Lee, partner and head of intellectual property at law firm Brandsmiths, which represented Hasbro, told BBC News it was a "significant judgment".

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

“It’s just now every step is visible,” said Paul Jebely, a partner at law firm Sterlington who lives in Hong Kong and represents wealthy clients.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

“I view these guys and gals as the homesteaders of the Wild West,” said Albrecht, who previously represented big private-equity firms at law firm Gibson Dunn.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

“It’s all going to take some significant needle-threading,” said Corey Martin, who chairs the entertainment-finance practice at law firm Granderson Des Rochers.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 11, 2026

“Stop throwing objects at law enforcement,” the officer says.

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023