dry law
C2formal, historical, political
Definition
Meaning
a law prohibiting the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
A legal framework or period when alcohol production, sale, and consumption are banned by the government, often implemented for social, religious, or health reasons.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers specifically to a legislative prohibition. Often used historically, particularly in reference to national policies like Prohibition in the United States (1920-1933).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is far more commonly used in American contexts due to the historical prominence of the 'Prohibition' era (often referred to as 'the dry law'). In British English, related terms like 'temperance legislation' might be more frequent in historical discourse.
Connotations
In AmE, strongly associated with 1920s Prohibition, speakeasies, and gangster culture. In BrE, may connote historical temperance movements or localised bans.
Frequency
Low frequency in modern active use. Higher in AmE historical/political texts. Very low in contemporary BrE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Country/State] passed a dry law.The dry law [verb: was enacted/remained in force/was repealed].[Period] was governed by dry law.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The country went dry.”
- “A dry state/county.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in historical analysis of the beverage industry or regulatory impact studies.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, or sociological texts discussing prohibition movements.
Everyday
Very rare. Used when discussing history or extreme local regulations.
Technical
Used in legal history and public policy discourse.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The government sought to dry-law the country.
- They attempted to dry-law several counties.
American English
- The state voted to dry-law itself.
- Congress moved to dry-law the nation.
adjective
British English
- The dry-law period saw a rise in illicit distillation.
- He lived in a dry-law town.
American English
- Dry-law states had widespread bootlegging.
- A dry-law amendment was passed.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Some states in the US had a dry law long ago.
- A dry law means you cannot buy alcohol.
- The dry law of the 1920s led to the rise of organised crime in America.
- Several counties in the UK were under a local dry law in the 19th century.
- Historians debate the social efficacy of the dry law, arguing it fostered criminality rather than sobriety.
- The implementation of a federal dry law required a constitutional amendment in the United States.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a law that makes the bars 'dry'—completely out of alcohol.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW IS A FORCE OF NATURE (drying up a resource).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'сухой закон' unless in a very specific historical context. It is a direct calque but not a standard modern term in English for current bans.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'dry law' to refer to current, minor alcohol restrictions (e.g., no sales on Sunday). This term implies comprehensive, often historical, prohibition.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of a 'dry law'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the US context, 'Prohibition' (capitalized) specifically refers to the national dry law period (1920-1933). 'Dry law' is the general term for such legislation.
Yes, some counties or municipalities, particularly in the US and parts of the Middle East and Asia, maintain local dry laws, completely banning alcohol sales.
Yes, though rare and somewhat informal (e.g., 'The state voted to dry-law the county'). The more common phrasing is 'to enact a dry law' or 'to go dry'.
The historical opposite was informally called a 'wet law' (allowing alcohol). Modern terms are 'legalization' or simply stating an area is 'wet' (not dry).