statute

[stach-oot, -oot]

noun

1. Law.

   1. an enactment made by a legislature and expressed in a formal document.

   2. the document in which such an enactment is expressed.

2. International Law.,  an instrument annexed or subsidiary to an international agreement, as a treaty.

3. a permanent rule established by an organization, corporation, etc., to govern its internal affairs.

statute

/ ˈstætjuːt /

noun

1. 1. an enactment of a legislative body expressed in a formal document

   2. this document

2. a permanent rule made by a body or institution for the government of its internal affairs

Word History and Origins

Origin of statute¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English statut, from Old French estatut, from Late Latin statūtum, noun use of neuter of Latin statūtus “made to stand,” past participle of statuere “to make stand, set up,” verb derivative of status status

Word History and Origins

Origin of statute¹

C13: from Old French estatut , from Late Latin statūtum , from Latin statuere to set up, decree, ultimately from stāre to stand

Example Sentences

There is also a statute of limitations on contesting a will.

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But some worried that a mere executive memo and a simple congressional statute might not suffice.

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It overturned the so-called Chevron deference doctrine, according to which regulatory agencies had wide latitude in interpreting vague statutes.

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The American legal system, he says, is largely based on precedent, not ironclad statutes, leaving some wiggle room for questionable business practices.

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Bost argues that this effectively extends Election Day and that residents who vote in person are having their votes “diluted by illegal ballots received in violation of the federal Election Day statutes.”

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Related Words

• act 
• bill 
• decree 
• edict 
• measure 
• regulation