international law

American  

noun

1. the body of rules that nations generally recognize as binding in their conduct toward one another.

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international law British  

noun

1. the body of rules generally recognized by civilized nations as governing their conduct towards each other and towards each other's subjects

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international law Cultural  

1. A body of rules and principles that govern the relations among nations. (See Geneva Conventions and International Court of Justice.)

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Etymology

Origin of international law

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

international law

The entire post-war economic world order was organized by the U.S. and a handful of allies, along with the institutions that undergird global commitments to human rights and international law.

From Salon ● Sep. 17, 2026

It says its troops conduct self-defence operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank in accordance with international law.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Chinese military has always complied with international law and international practice.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

"The UN Charter must continue to serve as a key source of international law," Putin told the summit on Tuesday.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

In the modern world, it is often considered a violation of international law.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz