outlaw

1 of 2

noun

out·​law ˈau̇t-ˌlȯ How to pronounce outlaw (audio)
1
: a person excluded from the benefit or protection of the law
2
a
: a lawless person or a fugitive from the law
b
: a person or organization under a ban or restriction
c
: one that is unconventional or rebellious
3
: an animal (such as a horse) that is wild and unmanageable
outlaw adjective

outlaw

2 of 2

verb

outlawed; outlawing; outlaws

transitive verb

1
a
: to deprive of the benefit and protection of law : declare to be an outlaw
b
: to make illegal
outlawed dueling
2
: to place under a ban or restriction
3
: to remove from legal jurisdiction or enforcement
outlawry noun

Examples of outlaw in a Sentence

Noun Billy the Kid was one of the most famous outlaws of America's early history. Verb That type of gun was outlawed last year. The government passed a bill outlawing the hiring of children under the age of 12.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Banners with photos of veterans and dead soldiers peer over sidewalks and legend has it that Jesse James lived here in an age of stagecoaches and outlaws. Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2024 While his Wild Bunch gang was among the most feared and notorious bands of outlaws in the West, Cassidy was widely known for his good-natured ease and charm. Erin Alberty, Axios, 23 Sep. 2024
Verb
The next stage of the EU’s drive to outlaw the internal combustion engine with CO2 limits kicks in next year, and the industry is increasing its opposition. Neil Winton, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Some conservative groups, such as the Heritage Foundation, have advocated outlawing pornography, a move that would hold significant repercussions for the industry. Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for outlaw 

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English outlawe, from Old English ūtlaga, from Old Norse ūtlagi, from ūt out (akin to Old English ūt out) + lag-, lǫg law — more at out entry 1, law

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of outlaw was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near outlaw

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

outlaw

1 of 2 noun
out·​law ˈau̇t-ˌlȯ How to pronounce outlaw (audio)
1
: a person who is not given the protection of the law
2
: a lawless person or one who is running away from the law
3
: an animal (as a horse) that is wild and hard to control
outlaw adjective

outlaw

2 of 2 verb
1
: to deprive of the protection of law
2
: to make illegal
dueling was outlawed
outlawry noun

Legal Definition

outlaw

1 of 2 noun
out·​law ˈau̇t-ˌlȯ How to pronounce outlaw (audio)
1
: a person excluded from the benefit or protection of the law
a trespasser is not an outlaw
2
: a lawless person or a fugitive from the law
3
: a person or organization (as a nation) under a ban or restriction or considered to be in defiance of norms or laws
considered an outlaw for its support of terrorism

outlaw

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to make illegal
outlawry noun
Etymology

Noun

Old English ūtlaga, from Old Norse ūtlagi, from ūt out + lag, lǫg law

More from Merriam-Webster on outlaw

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