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

New sanctions needed The U.S. offer to soften sanctions to support the Barbados Agreement and restore rule of law in Venezuela was an important effort. —Tirana Hassan, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024

And that returns us to the bottom-line choice in this election: One candidate will preserve the Constitution and the rule of law; the other will erode them. —Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Nobody will protect your home and freedom when the rule of law is lost. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

And by doing away with democracy, undermining not only our constitution, our institutions, the rule of law, but our fundamental freedoms and rights. —Kc Baker, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

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 policy

—Wright v. Wright, 904 P.2d 403 (1995)

2

: government by law : adherence to due process of law