"Become law" is a phrase commonly used in legal contexts to describe the process by which a bill passes through legislative channels and is ultimately enacted as law. The phonetic transcription for this two-part noun-verb phrase would be /bəˈkʌm lɔː/. The first syllable of "become" is pronounced with a reduced vowel sound, represented by the schwa symbol /ə/. The second syllable rhymes with "some" and is stressed. The word "law" has an /ɔː/ sound, like in the word "saw".
"Become law" refers to the process by which a proposed legislation or bill is officially enacted and becomes a binding legal framework that governs the members of a given jurisdiction. It denotes the moment when a bill, having undergone a series of legislative stages, is approved and signed into law by the appropriate governing authority such as the executive, legislative, or judicial branch.
The journey of a bill from its proposal to becoming law is often arduous. Typically, it starts with the introduction of a bill or proposal by a legislator or government official, which is then debated, amended, and voted on within the legislative body. If the bill passes these stages successfully, it then proceeds to the executive branch, where the appropriate official must review, consider, and ultimately sign it into law.
Once a bill has fulfilled the necessary requirements and emerged as law, it holds legal weight and should be adhered to by citizens and other relevant entities. The law then takes effect, outlining rights, obligations, regulations, and penalties, depending on its specific provisions. Compliance with the law is typically enforced by the appropriate government agencies, authorities, or courts.
Overall, the term "become law" encompasses the process through which proposed legislation progresses, gaining approval and ultimately being sanctioned as a formal law that guides and governs the actions and behaviors of individuals, groups, or organizations within a particular jurisdiction.
The word "become" originated from the Old English words "becuman" or "be-cuman", which meant "to come to, arrive, or happen". The term "law" comes from the Old English word "lagu", derived from the Old Norse word "lag", meaning "something laid down or fixed". The specific phrase "become law" is a combination of these two terms. It refers to the process of a legislative proposal or bill progressing through the necessary steps and being formally enacted as a law.