By-laws define internal regulations for associations, distinguish private corporate rules from municipal ordinances, and note English usage. By-laws denote internal rules and regulations adopted to govern associations, corporations, or similar entities, focusing on corporate governance, membership procedures and organisational discipline. While historically applied to local municipal statutes in some contexts, contemporary practice typically distinguishes municipal 'ordinances' from private by-laws; English usage may still encompass orders or regulations made by local authorities or statutory corporations subordinate to central legislative authority.