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at law

American  
[at law] / ˌæt ˈlɔ /

adverb

Law.
  1. (of legal proceedings or remedies) under the law, sometimes according to the common law or codified law, rather than to what is fair in a particular case; by law.

    The will, now lost, would have benefited the whole community, but at law the next of kin is the sole heir.


Etymology

Origin of at law

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“It doesn’t mean that their review is going to be more extensive than usual,” said Ray Seilie, an entertainment attorney at law firm Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 9, 2026

In the past few months, Mastro, a partner at law firm Dechert, has emerged as the new mayor’s chief antagonist, bringing several lawsuits challenging the Democratic socialist mayor’s main policy initiatives.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 3, 2026

“It used to be, ‘Hey, I’m in this for the love of the game,’” said Ross Williams, a private-equity attorney and partner at law firm Reed Smith.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 21, 2026

Overly glib or sarcastic messages can get you into trouble, even if they are funny, reckons Paul Fitzsimmons, head of sales and marketing at law firm Wilford Smith.

From BBC Aug. 17, 2026

Bright and serious, Ismail Meer was born in Natal, and while at law school at Wits he became a key member of the Transvaal Indian Congress.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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