pursuant

American  

[per-soo-uhnt] / pərˈsu ənt /

adjective

1. proceeding after; following (usually followed byto ).

   Pursuant to his studies he took a job in an office.

2. pursuing.

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adverb

1. according (usually followed byto ).

   to do something pursuant to an agreement.

2. in a manner conformable (usually followed byto ).

   to act pursuant to the dictates of one's conscience.

pursuant British  

/ pəˈsjuːənt /

adjective

1. law in agreement or conformity

2. archaic pursuing

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Other Word Forms

• nonpursuant adjective
• nonpursuantly adverb
• pursuantly adverb
• unpursuant adjective

Etymology

Origin of pursuant

1425–75; late Middle English, variant of pursevant pursuivant

Explanation

Pursuant is used mainly in a legal sense to say something's in accordance with a particular law, ruling, or request. It's followed by the word "to." So you might say, "Pursuant to the judge's request, we'll provide additional testimony." Pursuant sounds a bit like pursue, and has a related meaning in the sense of "following" — but in this case it's an agreement or ruling that you're following. Pursuant comes from the French word pursuer, meaning "to follow with hostile intent." Over time the word lost its sense of hostility — unless of course you're angry when the lawyer tells you that pursuant to the investment policy, you can't withdraw all your money and run away to Paris.

Example Sentences

The post office would maintain its own list of people “who are enrolled with the USPS, pursuant to a process specified in the rulemaking.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

"The referee in consultation with the Grand Slam supervisor may declare a default for either a single violation of this code or pursuant to the point penalty schedule."

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

We have a Supreme Court that not only has the power to say what the law is, pursuant to Chief Justice John Marshall and Marbury v.

From Slate • Dec. 17, 2025

In spite of this development, “the parties continue to negotiate the terms of a lease agreement at Project Matador pursuant to the letter of intent,” Fermi wrote in the filing.

From Barron's • Dec. 12, 2025

Nearly all of the cases alleging racial profiling in drug-law enforcement were brought pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its implementing regulations.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander