1
a
: being in harmony with the law
a lawful judgment
b
: constituted, authorized, or established by law : rightful
lawful institutions
2
: law-abiding
lawful citizens
Examples of lawful in a Sentence
a lawful search of the property
hunting is a lawful activity only if you have the proper license
Recent Examples on the Web
Also not counting toward the daily 2,500 limit: lawful permanent residents, people with visas, unaccompanied minors, people facing a medical emergency or a threat to their life, and trafficking victims.
—
Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 4 June 2024
Beyond restrictions, this new rule allows permanent residents, unaccompanied children, victims of a severe form of trafficking, and other noncitizens with a valid visa or other lawful permission to enter the United States.
—Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 4 June 2024
The program offers would-be migrants a lawful pathway to reach the U.S. and reduced arrivals at the border from the beneficiary countries.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024
Assembly Bill 1740 prohibited recyclers from purchasing catalytic converters from anyone except a licensed commercial enterprise or lawful owner.
—Susan Shelley, Orange County Register, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lawful 
Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 4 June 2024
Beyond restrictions, this new rule allows permanent residents, unaccompanied children, victims of a severe form of trafficking, and other noncitizens with a valid visa or other lawful permission to enter the United States.
—Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 4 June 2024
The program offers would-be migrants a lawful pathway to reach the U.S. and reduced arrivals at the border from the beneficiary countries.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024
Assembly Bill 1740 prohibited recyclers from purchasing catalytic converters from anyone except a licensed commercial enterprise or lawful owner.
—Susan Shelley, Orange County Register, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lawful
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lawful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near lawful
Cite this Entry
“Lawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lawful. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.
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