blue law

noun

1
: one of numerous extremely rigorous laws designed to regulate morals and conduct in colonial New England
2
: a statute regulating work, commerce, and amusements on Sundays

Examples of blue law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Colby told her followers that the poster was specifically made for racier venues during a time in history when there was a lot of back-and-forth on blue laws or moral codes. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024 And keep in mind also that blue laws in Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island prohibit retailers from being open in those states. Bychris Morris, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blue law was in 1755

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blue law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blue%20law. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Legal Definition

blue law

noun
: a statute regulating work, commerce, and amusements on Sunday

Note: Existing blue laws derive from the numerous extremely rigorous laws designed to regulate morals and conduct that were enacted in colonial New England.

Etymology

blue puritanical

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