bylaw

Sometimes bye·law

[bahy-law]

noun

1. a standing rule governing the regulation of a corporation's or society's internal affairs.

2. a subsidiary law.

3. British.,  an ordinance of a municipality or community.

bylaw

/ ˈbaɪˌlɔː /

noun

1. a rule made by a local authority for the regulation of its affairs or management of the area it governs

2. a regulation of a company, society, etc

3. a subsidiary law

Word History and Origins

Origin of bylaw¹

First recorded in 1325–75; by- + law ¹; replacing Middle English bilawe, equivalent to by “town” (from Scandinavian; compare Danish by ) + lawe “law”

Word History and Origins

Origin of bylaw¹

C13: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse bӯr dwelling, town; see _bower ¹ , _law ¹

Example Sentences

Seven Poly athletes are listed in the Southern Section transfer portal as having been denied eligibility for two years for violating bylaw 202.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“According to the bylaws, there must be seven trustees in order to conduct any official business,” Miss Mortimer said quickly.

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Processes to appoint commission members and write bylaws started this fall.

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The school earlier this season had six transfer students declared ineligible for providing false information on paperwork to the Southern Section, a violation of CIF bylaw 202.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The next town over, Pittsfield, passed a bylaw outlawing baseball to protect the windows of its meetinghouse—all the way back in 1791.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• act 
• case 
• charge 
• charter 
• code 
• constitution 
• decision 
• decree 
• legislation 
• mandate 
• measure 
• order 
• precedent 
• regulation 
• requirement 
• ruling 
• statute