private law

noun

: a branch of law concerned with private persons, property, and relationships compare public law

Examples of private law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
President Trump on Friday opened a third attack against a private law firm, restricting the business activities of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison just days after a federal judge ruled such measures appeared to violate the Constitution. — Devlin Barrett, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2025 President Donald Trump expanded his attack on private law firms Friday, issuing an executive order that targets law firm Paul Weiss' contracts and its employees' security clearances. — Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025 He’s also charged with trying to pressure developers in Chinatown to steer business to his private law firm. — Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025 The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, ACLU of Maryland and private law firms Hogan Lovells and Jenner & Block filed the suit on behalf of the families and young adults who are all members of PFLAG National, a nonprofit that supports the friends and families of LGBTQ people. — Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for private law

Word History

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of private law was in 1773

Rhymes for private law

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private law
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“Private law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/private%20law. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Legal Definition

private law

noun
: a branch of law concerned with private persons, property, and relationships compare public law

More from Merriam-Webster on private law

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about private law

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