statute of limitations

American  

noun

Law.

1. a statute defining the period within which legal action may be taken.

---

statute of limitations British  

noun

1. a legislative enactment prescribing the period of time within which proceedings must be instituted to enforce a right or bring an action at law See also laches

---

statute of limitations Cultural  

1. Any law that places a time restriction during which a lawsuit must be brought to court or a crime must be prosecuted.

---

Etymology

Origin of statute of limitations

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

On Monday, a federal jury in California unanimously rejected Musk’s claims since the statute of limitations for bringing charges had expired.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

The jury found Musk brought his lawsuit after the statute of limitations expired, clearing the way for an OpenAI IPO.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

In a unanimous verdict, the case was thrown out because Musk filed his lawsuit after a statute of limitations to bring such claims had expired.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Earlier this week, a judge dismissed most of the case, citing the statute of limitations in Massachusetts, where the pair lived during their three-year relationship.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

She started organizing information into carefully labeled folders: one about cells, another about cancer, another full of definitions of legal terms like statute of limitations and patient confidentiality.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot