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

On Monday, a jury found that the case was outside the statute of limitations.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

The nine-person jury unanimously found that Musk waited too long to file his lawsuit and missed the deadline for the statute of limitations.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

A jury found OpenAI and its leaders not liable in Elon Musk’s lawsuit, citing the expiration of the statute of limitations.

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

The statute of limitations ticks itself out, day by day, all memory of the crime being washed away.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides