dead letter

noun

1. a law, ordinance, etc., that has lost its force but has not been formally repealed or abolished.
2. a letter that cannot reach the addressee or be returned to the sender, usually because of incorrect address, and that is sent to and handled in a special division or department dead-letteroffice of a general post office.

dead letter

noun

1. a letter that cannot be delivered or returned because it lacks adequate directions
2. a law or ordinance that is no longer enforced but has not been formally repealed
3. informal.
   anything considered no longer worthy of consideration

Other Words From

• dead-letter adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dead letter¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

This, Kagan says, renders impeachment and conviction virtually a dead letter.

From Salon

Now, thanks to Republican opposition in Congress, it could be a dead letter.

From Los Angeles Times

In two other states, Georgia and Mississippi, top Republicans have signaled willingness to discuss expansion this year so the issue isn’t a dead letter.

From Seattle Times

That effort would involve rallying deeply anti-spending Republicans around a stopgap funding bill that is likely to be a dead letter in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

From New York Times

"As a result, the YCC framework seems to have become more of a dead letter."

From Reuters