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
For CEOs, the post-Election Day uncertainties fall into three buckets: Institutional stability and the rule of law, societal polarization spilling into the workplace, and the implications of #1 and #2 on productivity, consumer confidence, and the economy writ large.
—
David Reimer, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
President Xi has tightened political control over China's courts since taking office, especially in Hong Kong, where judges and prosecutors once acted independently in accordance with rule of law but now follow Xi's orders.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
The work also examines suggestions that the public outcry and widespread protests against the reforms – which were seen as undermining the rule of law – distracted the country from defense priorities ahead of the October 7 Hamas terror attack.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024
An environment where the rule of law is increasingly questioned, economic stability is at risk, free trade is stifled by fear of capricious retaliation, and our society is further divided rather than united, is not a good formula for a vibrant economy.
—Steven Tian, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rule of law 
David Reimer, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
President Xi has tightened political control over China's courts since taking office, especially in Hong Kong, where judges and prosecutors once acted independently in accordance with rule of law but now follow Xi's orders.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
The work also examines suggestions that the public outcry and widespread protests against the reforms – which were seen as undermining the rule of law – distracted the country from defense priorities ahead of the October 7 Hamas terror attack.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024
An environment where the rule of law is increasingly questioned, economic stability is at risk, free trade is stifled by fear of capricious retaliation, and our society is further divided rather than united, is not a good formula for a vibrant economy.
—Steven Tian, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rule of law
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rule of law.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rule of law
Cite this Entry
“Rule of law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule%20of%20law. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal 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 policy—Wright v. Wright, 904 P.2d 403 (1995)
Wright v. Wright, 904 P.2d 403 (1995)2
: government by law : adherence to due process of law
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share