common-law

1 of 2

adjective

com·​mon-law ˈkä-mən-ˌlȯ How to pronounce common-law (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or based on the common law
2
: relating to or based on a common-law marriage

common law

2 of 2

noun

: the body of law developed in England primarily from judicial decisions based on custom and precedent, unwritten in statute or code, and constituting the basis of the English legal system and of the system in all of the U.S. except Louisiana

Examples of common-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
North Dakota, however, does not recognize common-law marriages. Pilar Arias, Fox News, 21 Oct. 2024 Apricot is survived by two daughters and a common-law spouse. Sarah A. Topol, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024
Noun
And though the common law prohibited torture, James could use the rack, dungeon, and Skevington’s irons to get his way. Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024 However, it has been heavily criticized since its inception, particularly for its departure from traditional elements of common law fraud, such as requiring an intent to defraud. Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for common-law 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'common-law.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of common-law was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near common-law

common land

common-law

common law

Cite this Entry

“Common-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/common-law. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

common law

noun
: a group of legal practices and traditions originating in judges' decisions in earlier cases and in social customs and having the same force in most of the U.S. as if passed into law by a legislative body

Legal Definition

common law

1 of 2 noun
: a body of law that is based on custom and general principles and embodied in case law and that serves as precedent or is applied to situations not covered by statute
the common law of torts
: as
a
: the body of law that was first developed in the English courts of law as distinguished from equity and that allows for particular remedies (as damages or replevin)
in suits at common law…the right of trial by jury shall be preservedU.S. Constitution amend. VII
compare equity sense 2
b
: the body of law developed in England that is the basis of U.S. federal law and of state law in all states except Louisiana compare civil law sense 2, statutory law

common-law

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of, relating to, or based on the common law
common-law immunity
2
: relating to or based on a common-law marriage
her common-law husband
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!