rule of law

noun phrase

: a situation in which the laws of a country are obeyed by everyone
The courts uphold the rule of law.

Examples of rule of law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Trump's second term presents profound and urgent questions about the rule of law and limits of executive power. Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025 Perhaps the biggest danger to the dollar’s dominance comes from Trump’s threats to the rule of law, which will shake the foundation on which the dollar’s standing rests. Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025 This is a rather grim history of dictatorship, punctuated by violence, yet today South Korea has a functioning democracy under the rule of law. Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 More importantly, the shredding of the rule of law and politicising of justice have never helped any economy (Turkey is the case in point). Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rule of law

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Cite this Entry

“Rule of law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule%20of%20law. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Legal Definition

rule of law

1
: an authoritative legal doctrine, principle, or precept applied to the facts of an appropriate case
adopting the rule of law that is most persuasive in light of precedent, reason and policyWright v. Wright, 904 P.2d 403 (1995)
2
: government by law : adherence to due process of law
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