maritime law

American  

noun

1. the body of law relating to maritime commerce and navigation, and to maritime matters generally.

---

Etymology

Origin of maritime law

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

The legitimacy of these midvoyage changes under international maritime law is unclear, S&P said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

International maritime law requires every ship to be registered with a specific country—a flag state—granting it nationality.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

"At present, our vessel is sailing in the international waters of the North Atlantic under the state flag of the Russian Federation and in full compliance with the norms of international maritime law," it added.

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

Aside from building the vessel, which federal maritime law requires to be constructed in the U.S., several other steps must be taken before a launch.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2024

He explained that it was maritime law to help a ship in distress.

From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman