statutory

[stach-oo-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of a statute.

2. prescribed or authorized by statute.

3. conforming to statute.

4. (of an offense) recognized by statute; legally punishable.

statutory

/ ˈstætjʊtərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the nature of a statute

2. prescribed or authorized by statute

3. 1. recognized by statute

   2. subject to a punishment or penalty prescribed by statute

Other Word Forms

• statutorily adverb
• nonstatutory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of statutory¹

First recorded in 1710–20; statute + -ory ¹

Example Sentences

At that point, many become homeless and, because Scottish councils have a statutory duty to house all homeless people, they must step in.

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In these cases, the court has struck down statutory limits on the president’s ability to remove federal officials, enabling much greater presidential control.

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“This case represents yet another attempt by the agencies to evade their statutory duties to protect, preserve and manage the herd,” the suit reads.

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“The administration is not engaged in good faith statutory interpretation — they’re engaged in linguistic manipulation of these statutes.”

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In July, the prime minister announced there would be a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs in England and Wales.

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Related Words

• lawful 
• legal