Legal Definitions - abide by

Abide by means to accept and follow a rule, decision, agreement, or instruction. It implies a commitment to comply with established standards or authorities.

Here are some examples illustrating how "abide by" is used:

• Imagine a tenant who signs a lease agreement for an apartment. The lease includes clauses stating that no pets are allowed and that rent must be paid by the first of each month. The tenant is expected to abide by these terms by not bringing a pet into the apartment and ensuring rent payments are made punctually.

  This example demonstrates "abide by" because the tenant is acting in conformity with the specific conditions and rules outlined in the signed lease agreement.

• Consider a local town council that passes a new ordinance requiring all commercial establishments to close by 10 PM. A restaurant owner in the town, even if they disagree with the new closing time, must abide by this ordinance.

  Here, "abide by" signifies that the restaurant owner must comply with the legally enacted decision made by the town council, regardless of personal preference.

• A professional sports league has a strict code of conduct that all players must follow, including rules against unsportsmanlike behavior. A player who commits a foul and then argues aggressively with the referee might be penalized for failing to abide by the league's code of conduct.

  This illustrates "abide by" as the player's obligation to adhere to the established rules and standards of behavior set forth by their governing body.