Kara Sears
Black's Law Dictionary is the most frequently used legal dictionary in the United States. It was first published in 1891 by West Publishing, with the full title A Dictionary of Law: containing definitions of the terms and phrases of American and English jurisprudence, ancient and modern, including the principal terms of international constitutional and commercial law, with a collection of legal maxims and numerous select titles from the civil law and other foreign systems. The dictionary has since been updated multiple times, with the 12th edition, published in 2024, being the most recent. Black's Law Dictionary is considered the most comprehensive English-language law dictionary, with more than 70,000 entries containing precise definitions and scholarly and judicial quotations on legal terminology. It is a trusted and respected resource for legal professionals and anyone else needing legal definitions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Published | 1891 |
| Author | Henry Campbell Black |
| Publisher | West Publishing |
| Number of Legal Terms | 65,000+ |
| Language | English |
| Pronunciation Guide | Yes |
| Case Law References | Yes |
| Editions | 12 |
| Case Citations | Yes (up to 6th edition) |
| Accessibility | Hardbound, iOS app, Online |
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What You'll Learn
History
Black's Law Dictionary, first published in 1891, is the most frequently used legal dictionary in the United States. It was created by Henry Campbell Black (1860-1927), who authored the dictionary's first two editions. The first edition was published by West Publishing in 1891 under the full title "A Dictionary of Law: containing definitions of the terms and phrases of American and English jurisprudence, ancient and modern, including the principal terms of international constitutional and commercial law, with a collection of legal maxims and numerous select titles from the civil law and other foreign systems".
The second edition was published in 1910 as "A Law Dictionary". Black died in 1927, and future editions were titled "Black's Law Dictionary". The dictionary is now in its 12th edition, published in 2024, and is the most widely cited law book in the world. It is the first and last word on the language of the law, containing over 65,000 legal terms, each clearly and precisely defined in plain English.
The dictionary has been fully revised with new material on every page, including over 2,500 new terms. It is the most comprehensive English-language law dictionary ever compiled, with more than 70,000 entries containing precise definitions and more than 4,800 scholarly and judicial quotations on legal terminology. It is a trusted and respected resource, renowned worldwide, and is considered the most extensive, accurate, and clearly drafted dictionary for the legal profession and anyone else needing legal definitions.
The second edition of Black's Law Dictionary, published in 1910, is now in the public domain and is widely reproduced online. However, references to case law are out-of-date, and the edition omits legal terms that are currently in use. It also does not reflect contemporary changes in how legal terms are used. An online version of the tenth edition can be accessed through the paid Westlaw legal information service and is available as an application for iOS devices.
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Editions
Black's Law Dictionary, first published in 1891, is the most frequently used legal dictionary in the United States. Its author, Henry Campbell Black (1860–1927), wrote the first two editions of the dictionary. The first edition was published by West Publishing in 1891, with the full title "A Dictionary of Law: containing definitions of the terms and phrases of American and English jurisprudence, ancient and modern, including the principal terms of international constitutional and commercial law, with a collection of legal maxims and numerous select titles from the civil law and other foreign systems".
The second edition, published in 1910, was titled "A Law Dictionary". After Black's death in 1927, future editions were titled "Black's Law Dictionary". The second edition is now in the public domain and is widely reproduced online, although references to case law are out-of-date, and the edition omits legal terms that are currently in use.
The sixth and earlier editions of the book provided case citations for the term cited, which lawyers viewed as its most useful feature, providing a useful starting point with leading cases. The third edition was published in 1933 by West Publishing Co.
The most recent edition of Black's Law Dictionary is the 12th edition, published in 2024 and edited by Bryan A. Garner. It is the most comprehensive English-language law dictionary ever compiled, with more than 70,000 entries containing precise definitions and more than 4,800 scholarly and judicial quotations on legal terminology. It is fully revised with new material on every page, including over 2,500 new terms.
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Features
Black's Law Dictionary, first published in 1891, is the most frequently used legal dictionary in the United States. It is considered the most comprehensive English-language law dictionary, with more than 65,000 to 70,000 entries containing precise definitions of legal terms. The dictionary also includes over 4,800 scholarly and judicial quotations on legal terminology.
The dictionary was first authored by Henry Campbell Black, with the first edition published in 1891 by West Publishing. The full title of the first edition was "A Dictionary of Law: containing definitions of the terms and phrases of American and English jurisprudence, ancient and modern, including the principal terms of international constitutional and commercial law, with a collection of legal maxims and numerous select titles from the civil law and other foreign systems". The second edition was published in 1910 as "A Law Dictionary". Black died in 1927, and future editions were titled "Black's Law Dictionary".
The dictionary provides a pronunciation guide for legal terms derived from Latin root words. It also provides pronunciation transcriptions pursuant to those found among North American practitioners of law or medicine. The sixth and earlier editions of the book provided case citations for the term cited, which lawyers viewed as its most useful feature.
The 12th edition of Black's Law Dictionary, published in 2024, is the most recent edition. It is the first and last word on the language of the law and is considered the most widely cited law book in the world. It features over 2,500 new terms and is fully revised with new material on every page. The dictionary is available in a standard and deluxe edition, the latter featuring a padded cover, a thumb index, and a ribbon bookmark.
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Availability
Black's Law Dictionary is widely available in various formats, including print and digital versions. The dictionary has a long history, with the first edition published in 1891 by West Publishing, titled "A Dictionary of Law". The most recent edition, the 12th edition, was published in 2024 by Thomson Reuters and is available as a hardcover book. It can also be accessed through online databases such as Westlaw, and it is available as an application for iOS devices. Additionally, the second edition, published in 1910, is now in the public domain and can be accessed for free through Google Books.
The dictionary has also been reproduced in different formats, such as pocket editions and a deluxe edition, which offers additional features like a padded cover, a thumb index, and a ribbon bookmark.
In terms of content availability, Black's Law Dictionary is renowned for its comprehensive coverage of legal terminology. The 12th edition contains over 65,000 legal terms, each defined clearly and precisely in plain English. It includes more than 2,500 new terms, reflecting contemporary legal language. The dictionary also provides a pronunciation guide for legal terms derived from Latin root words, following the pronunciation used by North American practitioners of law and medicine.
Black's Law Dictionary is widely accessible through libraries, bookstores, and online retailers. It is also available in many law schools and universities, and legal institutions, serving as a standard reference book for legal professionals, students, and anyone seeking reliable legal definitions.
Additionally, Black's Law Dictionary has been translated into multiple languages, further expanding its availability and influence globally. The dictionary has been used as a basis for legal dictionaries in other languages, such as Farsi and Urdu, making the content accessible to a broader audience.
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Uses
Black's Law Dictionary is the most frequently used legal dictionary in the United States. It is also the most widely cited law book in the world, with the 12th edition containing over 65,000 legal terms, each clearly and precisely defined in plain English. It has been the world's most-used and most cited legal reference book for over a century.
The dictionary is a trusted source of law definitions and is used to enhance business success. It is a go-to resource for legal terminology and business formation, providing a comprehensive guide to the language of the law. The 12th edition is the most comprehensive English-language law dictionary, with more than 70,000 entries containing precise definitions and more than 4,800 scholarly and judicial quotations on legal terminology.
Black's Law Dictionary is particularly useful for understanding and using legal terminology accurately and confidently. It is a valuable resource for legal professionals, students, and anyone else who needs to refer to legal definitions. The dictionary provides clear and concise explanations of legal terms, making it easier to navigate and understand the complex world of law.
In addition to its comprehensive definitions, Black's Law Dictionary also offers a pronunciation guide for legal terms derived from Latin root words. This feature ensures that users can confidently and correctly pronounce legal terminology, which is especially useful for practitioners of law and medicine. The dictionary's online version, accessible through the Westlaw legal information service, further enhances its accessibility and convenience for users.
The dictionary has been widely reproduced and is available in various formats, including hardbound, deluxe, and online editions. It has also been translated and adapted for use in other languages, demonstrating its global influence and relevance. Black's Law Dictionary continues to be updated and revised, ensuring that it remains a timely and authoritative resource for legal professionals and anyone seeking reliable legal information.
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Frequently asked questions
Black's Law Dictionary is the most frequently used legal dictionary in the United States. It was authored by Henry Campbell Black (1860–1927), who wrote the first two editions. The first edition was published in 1891 by West Publishing.
The 12th edition of Black's Law Dictionary contains over 65,000 legal terms, each clearly and precisely defined in plain English. It also features over 2,500 new terms. The dictionary provides a pronunciation guide for terms derived from Latin root words.
The 12th edition of Black's Law Dictionary can be purchased from Thomson Reuters. An online version of the 10th edition can be accessed through the paid Westlaw legal information service, and is available as an application for iOS devices. The second edition, published in 1910, is now in the public domain and is widely reproduced online.
