WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ˈcom•mon ˈlaw, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Lawthe system of law coming first from England, based on custom or court decision.
com′mon law′,
- Lawthe system of law originating in England, as distinct from the civil or Roman law and the canon or ecclesiastical law.
- Lawthe unwritten law, esp. of England, based on custom or court decision, as distinct from statute law.
- Lawthe law administered through the system of courts established for the purpose, as distinct from equity or admiralty.
- Middle English 1300–50
- Lawof, pertaining to, or established by common law:a common-law spouse.
- 1905–10
'common-law' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
CL
- Coke
- civil law
- combo
- common law
- common scold
- common-law marriage
- compurgation
- coparcenary
- equitable
- equity
- exchequer
- fellow-servant rule
- grand jury
- heir
- infancy
- law
- lex non scripta
- puberty
- replevin
- right of way
- statute law
- statutory law
- statutory offense
- writ of right