Legal Definitions - abide

To abide means to comply with, accept, or remain in accordance with something. In legal contexts, it primarily refers to following rules, orders, or judgments, or accepting the outcome of a legal process.

• A construction company must abide by all federal and state safety regulations when operating on a job site.

  This example demonstrates that the company is legally obligated to follow and adhere to specific rules designed to ensure the safety of its workers and the public.

• After a judge issued a ruling in a contract dispute, the losing party had to abide by the court's judgment and pay the awarded damages.

  This illustrates that "abide" means to accept and act in accordance with a formal legal decision, even if that decision is unfavorable to one of the parties involved.