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

The Israeli government denies accusations of widespread torture asserting that it complies with standards of international law.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

Six Flags said Christopher Bennett, a partner at the international law firm Dentons, will join as chief legal and compliance officer on June 3.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

"The detention of the flotilla activists in international waters had already represented a serious affront to international law," he wrote on X on Tuesday.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

He has worked for an international law firm and, according to his campaign website, served as chief legal officer and general counsel for California Schools VEBA, a public employee benefits organization.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 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