Definition of BYLAW

bylaw

Meanings

Plural: bylaws

Noun

  • a rule adopted by an organization in order to regulate its own affairs and the behavior of its members
  • A local custom or law of a settlement or district.
  • A rule made by a local authority to regulate its own affairs.
  • A rule made by a local authority to regulate its own affairs.
  • A numbered provision within such kind of legislation.
  • A law or rule governing the internal affairs of an organization (e.g., corporation or business).

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English bylawe, bilawe, partly from Old English bīlage (“bylaw”) and partly from a variant of Middle English byrelawe, birlawe, from Old Norse býjar (“town's; settlement's”) + lǫg (“laws; jurisdiction”). Byrlaw is attested earlier in English but is unattested in Old Norse and the cognates in Scandinavian languages follow the development of bylaw: Danish bylov (“municipal law”), Swedish bylag and byalag.

Synonyms

ordinance

Scrabble Score: 13

bylaw is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
bylaw is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
bylaw is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

bylaw is a valid Words With Friends word