com·mon-law
ˈkä-mən-ˌlȯ
1
: of, relating to, or based on the common law
2
: relating to or based on a common-law marriage
: a body of law that is based on custom and general principles and embodied in case law and that serves as precedent or is applied to situations not covered by statute: as
a
: the body of law developed in England that is the basis of U.S. federal law and of state law of all the states of the U.S. except Louisiana
b
: the body of law developed in the English courts of law as distinguished from equity
Cite this Entry
“Common-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/common-law. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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