LAW AND ORDER Definition & Meaning

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law and order

noun

strict control of crime and repression of violence, sometimes involving the possible restriction of civil rights.

law-and-order

noun

modifier favouring or advocating strong measures to suppress crime and violence
a law-and-order candidate

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of law and order¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

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Idioms and Phrases

Strict enforcement of laws, especially for controlling crime. For example, Our candidate is always talking about law and order . The concept behind this term was stated by Aristotle. Today, however, it also carries the implication of infringing on civil rights in the course of too arduous law enforcement. [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"It really annoys me because I know him. He came from me... My son was educated, civilised, who always respected law and order."

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He had a prepared transcript about "law and order" but spent most of the hour talking off the cuff about his grievances against the justice system he believes did him wrong.

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And recently, from San Francisco to Los Angeles, progressive district attorneys have been dispatched for moderate prosecutors who came to power promising more law and order.

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"Since my childhood, I have admired the United States and their role as the world's policeman. And I think we need a policeman to ensure international law and order but if the United States does not want to execute that role, then Europe must be able to defend itself, to stand on its own feet."

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But almost seven months on, people in Dhaka say law and order has not yet been restored, and that things are not getting better.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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