1. A law, custom, or convention established by a community or society; an unwritten rule or norm.
Usage: From Greek; used in philosophy, anthropology, and social theory; Often contrasted with 'physis' (nature) in philosophical discourse
2. In ancient Greek philosophy, the body of laws or principles governing a state or society.
Usage: academic; historical

Examples

• The nomos of the community required respect for elders.
• Philosophers debated whether justice was based on nomos or physis.
• Different cultures have different nomoi regarding family structure.
• The nomos established by the city-state governed all citizens equally.
• Anthropologists study how nomos shapes human behavior across societies.