Word
bylaw
Phoneticsby·law, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbaɪˌɫɔ/
UK/bˈaɪlɔː/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a rule made by a city, town, or organization to control what people can do. You follow it like a law, but it usually applies only in one local area.
n. a rule or regulation enacted by a local authority, corporation, or association to govern matters within its jurisdiction. Takes effect below the level of national legislation and typically carries limited penalties for violation.
Examples
“The city bylaw bans loud music after ten.”
“Under the new parking bylaw, residents need a permit to leave cars on the street overnight.”
“The council invoked an obscure bylaw originally drafted in the 1950s to block the conversion of the historic theatre into luxury flats.”
Examples
simple
“The city bylaw bans loud music after ten.”
contextual
“Under the new parking bylaw, residents need a permit to leave cars on the street overnight.”
complex
“The council invoked an obscure bylaw originally drafted in the 1950s to block the conversion of the historic theatre into luxury flats.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “bylaw” in context.
Verb
01. adopt bylaw
“The club adopted a bylaw requiring members to pay annual dues.”
verb + noun
02. bylaw applies
“This bylaw applies only within the city limits.”
noun + verb
03. bylaw permits
“The bylaw permits street vendors in the market square.”
noun + verb
04. bylaw prohibits
“The bylaw prohibits smoking in all public parks.”
noun + verb
05. bylaw requires
“The bylaw requires homeowners to clear snow within 24 hours.”
noun + verb
06. enforce bylaw
“Police rarely enforce the bylaw against jaywalking downtown.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. corporate bylaw
“Under corporate bylaw, directors must meet four times a year.”
adj + noun
08. local bylaw
“The local bylaw bans parking on front lawns overnight.”
adj + noun
09. municipal bylaw
“The municipal bylaw requires all dogs to be kept on a leash.”
adj + noun
Noun
10. amendment to bylaw
“They proposed an amendment to the bylaw on short-term rentals.”
noun + prep + noun
11. enforcement of bylaw
“Strict enforcement of the bylaw has reduced noise complaints.”
noun + prep + noun
12. comply with the bylaw
“All restaurants must comply with the bylaw on food waste.”
Real-World Examples
“Municipal policies and bylaws shape how these environments are built and maintained, influencing living conditions for both people and rats.” “In April, the Cairngorms National Park Authority introduced a bylaw making it illegal to start a fire or a BBQ during the summer months to prevent wildfires.” “The councils, she said, used a range of legal mechanisms, from events-licensing schemes designed for large events, and others designed for commercial personal trainers in the early 2000s, to Victorian park bylaws.” “Toronto Police also issued a ticket over the billboard van, dishing out a $615 fine, saying it was against a bylaw to broadcast the message.” 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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/bylaw