civil law

American  

noun

1. the body of laws of a state or nation regulating ordinary private matters, as distinct from laws regulating criminal, political, or military matters.

2. Roman History. the body of law proper to the city or state of Rome, as distinct from that common to all nations.

3. systems of law influenced significantly and in various ways by Roman law, especially as contained in the Corpus Juris Civilis, as distinct from the common law and canon or ecclesiastical law.

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civil law British  

noun

1. the law of a state relating to private and civilian affairs

2. the body of law in force in ancient Rome, esp the law applicable to private citizens

3. any system of law based on the Roman system as distinguished from the common law and canon law

4. the law of a state as distinguished from international law

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Other Word Forms

• civil-law adjective

Etymology

Origin of civil law

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425

Example Sentences

Justice Horace Gray didn’t say that “jurisdiction” means being subject to ordinary criminal or civil law, as opponents of the president’s order maintain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The authority of immigration agents to provide security or conduct civil law enforcement activities is legally uncertain.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2025

The Detroit Metro Times reported that he taught himself criminal and civil law during his time in prison, and had since developed “a long history of challenging the judicial system” by filing multiple lawsuits.

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2024

That said, while international law does not provide civilians with a right to claim compensation directly from states, domestic tort law—the civil law through which interpersonal wrongs could be redressed—does just that.

From Slate • May 29, 2024

Some aspects of Islamic law are observed in Iran's legal system, but today the country mostly operates under civil law, ratified by the parliament.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi