Definition of "lax" []

• Lacking in rigor, strictness, or firmness. See Synonyms at negligent. (adjective)
• Not taut, firm, or compact; slack. See Synonyms at loose. (adjective)
• Loose and not easily retained or controlled. Used of bowel movements. (adjective)
• Linguistics Pronounced with the muscles of the tongue and jaw relatively relaxed, as the vowel (ĕ) in let. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Five years later, the FSA ordered Citibank Japan to suspend sales activities at the bank's retail business, including advertising, for a month for what it called lax policies to protect against money laundering."
• "ZURICH—Swiss regulator Finma may discipline four banks for having what it called lax controls on accepting money from foreign public officials associated with deposed Middle Eastern and North African leaders, but generally found that the country's lenders complied with anti-money-laundering rules."
• "Speaking to security officials, Mr. Medvedev said airport officials and police responsible for what he called lax security at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport would be punished."