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

All of this violates both domestic and international law.

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026

It added that it opened criminal investigations when there was reasonable suspicion of an offence "in accordance with its obligations under Israeli law and international law".

From BBC • May 29, 2026

So the 15-judge panel at the ICJ in The Hague will hand down its ruling, which is not binding, but in practice will clarify the right to strike in international law.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

In 1945, there was no way under national or international law that the operatives of the Nazi state could be tried.

From Salon • May 18, 2026

Supreme Court ruled the death penalty for nonhomicides unconstitutional and international law strongly disfavors the practice.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander