statute
Americannoun
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Law.
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an enactment made by a legislature and expressed in a formal document.
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the document in which such an enactment is expressed.
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International Law. an instrument annexed or subsidiary to an international agreement, as a treaty.
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a permanent rule established by an organization, corporation, etc., to govern its internal affairs.
noun
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an enactment of a legislative body expressed in a formal document
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this document
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a permanent rule made by a body or institution for the government of its internal affairs
Etymology
Origin of statute
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
Explanation
A statute is a formal law or rule. Whether it's enacted by a government, company, or other organization, a statute is typically written down. Local governments can pass all kinds of statutes, or written laws, to govern their citizens. A city's government might try to restrict the consumption of alcoholic beverages in public, or make it illegal to pet cats on the weekends. Of course, silly statutes like no cat-petting on weekends can be pretty hard to pass.
Vocabulary lists containing statute
Election Lingo
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Born a Crime
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Likewise, except for the charges of genocide or “crimes against humanity,” international law, as reflected in the Rome Statute, focuses on orders that are plainly illegal.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025
Ladera filed her lawsuit in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court on Sept. 15, alleging invasion of privacy, sexual cyberharassment under Florida Statute §784.049, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2025
An international campaign currently underway calls for an amendment to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to add ecocide as a fifth prosecutable crime alongside genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression.
From Salon • Apr. 30, 2025
The Rome Statute has been ratified by 124 countries.
From BBC • Nov. 21, 2024
Dumbledore’s triumph, and its consequences for the Wizarding world, are considered a turning point in magical history to match the introduction of the International Statute of Secrecy or the downfall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
