statute of limitations

American  

noun

Law.

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

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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

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of statute of limitations

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

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

The nine-person jury rejected the claims because the statute of limitations for bringing charges had expired.

From Barron's • 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

It is common for an HOA to sue the developer as the 10-year statute of limitations nears, often for what developers consider minor or perceived issues.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 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