law
noun
lɔː 
lɔː system of rules
1 (also the law) [uncountable] the whole system of rules that everyone in a country or society must obeyIf they entered the building they would be breaking the law.In Sweden it is against the law to hit a child.Defence attorneys can use any means within the law to get their client off.British schools are now required by law to publish their exam results.The reforms have recently become law.Do not think you are above the law (= think that you cannot be punished by the law).the need for better law enforcement (humorous) Kate's word was law in the Brown household.2 [uncountable] a particular branch of the lawcompany/international/tax, etc. law see also canon law, case law, civil law, common law, private law, statute lawone rule
3 [countable] a rule that deals with a particular crime, agreement, etclaw (against something) the 1996 law against the hiring of illegal immigrantslaw (on something) The government has introduced some tough new laws on food hygiene.strict gun lawsa federal/state lawto pass a law (= officially make it part of the system of laws) (informal) There ought to be a law against it! see also by-law, licensing lawssubject/profession
4 [uncountable] the study of the law as a subject at university, etc; the profession of being a lawyerJane is studying law. (North American English) He's in law school. (British English) He's at law school.What made you go into law?a law firmpolice
5 the law [singular] used to refer to the police and the legal systemJim is always getting into trouble with the law.She was well known for her brushes with the law.of organization/activity
6 [countable] one of the rules which controls an organization or activitythe laws of the ChurchThe first law of kung fu is to defend yourself.the laws of cricketthe laws of warof good behaviour
7 [countable] a rule for good behaviour or how you should behave in a particular place or situationmoral lawsthe unspoken laws of the streetin business/nature/science
8 [countable] the fact that something always happens in the same way in an activity or in natureSynonym
principlethe laws of supply and demandthe law of gravity9 [countable] a scientific rule that somebody has stated to explain a natural processthe first law of thermodynamics see also Murphy's Law, Parkinson's law, Sod's Law, legal, legalize, legislateIdioms
be a law unto yourself
to behave in an independent way and ignore rules or what other people want you to do
Boys of that age are a law unto themselves.go to law
(British English) to ask a court to settle a problem or disagreementThey went to law to get back their property.law and order
a situation in which people obey the law and behave in a peaceful way
The government struggled to maintain law and order.After the riots, the military was brought in to restore law and order.They claim to be the party of law and order.the law of averages
the principle that one thing will happen as often as another if you try enough times
Keep applying and by the law of averages you'll get a job sooner or later.the law of the jungle
a situation in which people are prepared to harm other people in order to succeed
These criminal gangs only recognize the law of the jungle.lay down the law
to tell somebody with force what they should or should not do
My dad started laying down the law about what time I should come home.take the law into your own hands
to do something illegal in order to punish somebody for doing something wrong, instead of letting the police deal with them
After a series of burglaries in the area, the police are worried that residents might take the law into their own hands.there's no law against something
(informal) used to tell somebody who is criticizing you that you are not doing anything wrongI'll sing if I want to—there's no law against it.
Usage note: Criminal justiceBreaking the lawbreak/violate/obey/uphold the lawbe investigated/arrested/tried for a crime/a robbery/fraudbe arrested/(especially North American English) indicted/convicted on charges of rape/fraud/(especially US) felony chargesbe arrested on suspicion of arson/robbery/shopliftingbe accused of/be charged with murder/(especially North American English) homicide/four counts of fraudface two charges of indecent assaultadmit your guilt/liability/responsibility (for something)deny the allegations/claims/chargesconfess to a crimegrant/be refused/be released on/skip/jump bailThe legal processstand/await/bring somebody to/come to/be on trialtake somebody to/come to/settle something out of courtface/avoid/escape prosecutionseek/retain/have the right to/be denied access to legal counselhold/conduct/attend/adjourn a hearing/trialsit on/influence/persuade/convince the jurysit/stand/appear/be put/place somebody in the dockplead guilty/not guilty to a crimebe called to/enter (British English) the witness boxtake/put somebody on the stand/(North American English) the witness standcall/subpoena/question/cross-examine a witnessgive/hear the evidence against/on behalf of somebodyraise/withdraw/overrule an objectionreach a unanimous/majority verdictreturn/deliver/record a verdict of not guilty/unlawful killing/accidental deathconvict/acquit the defendant of the crimesecure a conviction/your acquittallodge/file an appealappeal (against)/challenge/uphold/overturn a conviction/verdictSentencing and punishmentpass sentence on somebodycarry/face/serve a seven-year/life sentencereceive/be given the death penaltybe sentenced to ten years (in prison/jail)carry/impose/pay a fine (of $3000)/a penalty (of 14 years imprisonment)be imprisoned/jailed for drug possession/fraud/murderdo/serve time/ten yearsbe sent to/put somebody in/be released from jail/prisonbe/put somebody/spend X years on death rowbe granted/be denied/break (your) parole more collocations at crime