noun

bylaw

/ˈbaɪlɔː/ · say it: BY·law

a rule made by a local authority or organization

In Law & Justice

In more detail

1. (noun) a rule made by a company, organization, or club to control how it operates

2. (noun) a rule made by a local government or city council

Examples

1. According to the bylaws of the club, members must pay their fees by the end of each month.
2. The city passed a new bylaw that restricts parking in residential areas.

How to use bylaw

A bylaw is a formal written rule governing the internal operations of an organization or the conduct of people within a jurisdiction. In corporate contexts, bylaws typically address governance and decision-making procedures; in municipal contexts, they regulate local conduct and land use. The term is more formal and specific than the general word 'rule' and is narrower in scope than 'law'.

Common phrases

company bylaws
corporate bylaws
municipal bylaw
enforce a bylaw
bylaws and regulations

Synonyms

regulation · rule · ordinance · statute · code

Word family

bylaws (plural)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse bylaws with bylasses or write it as 'by-law' with a hyphen; modern standard English spells it as one word without a hyphen.

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