statute

American  

[stach-oot, -oot] / ˈstætʃ ut, -ʊt /

noun

• statutes
  plural

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.

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statute British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• statutes
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

statute statutes

The statute allows the court to prosecute nonmember state nationals if they commit war crimes and crimes against humanity on the territory of member states.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Boulder, kneecapping a statute that was pretty clear on its face.

From Slate ● Oct. 5, 2026

A spokesperson for the agency later added that state statute does not allow them to deny a private school application, but they won’t process an incomplete application — notably one without the proper inspections.

From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026

Maguire explained that the "statute of limitations is not referenced" in the Premier League's traditional handbook, though that could be subject to a legal challenge from City.

From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026

The statute does contain an opt-out provision, but as of 2010 only thirteen states and the District of Columbia had opted out entirely.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

The complaint alleges violations of both federal and state antitrust statutes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

If you look at the terms of these old statutes, for years the court was reading them literally and saying: You’ve got a lot of space here.

From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026

Chemerinsky said in a statement that the school “scrupulously complies with Proposition 209, federal statutes, and the United States Constitution.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

The case spawned in Nevada, of all places, as the local Gaming Control Board sent a cease-and-desist letter notifying Kalshi that it was violating Nevada statutes and gaming regulations.

From Salon ● Aug. 31, 2026

He was familiar with the state’s statutes and was completely capable of trying a case in court.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Related Words

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