Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

statute

American  
[stach-oot, -oot] / ˈstætʃ ut, -ʊt /

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 British  
/ ˈstætjuːt /

noun

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

    2. this document

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

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.

In February 1812, Congress passed a statute giving those officers the right to “remove” their cases to federal court, where they could be heard in a more neutral venue.

From The Wall Street Journal

There are statutes of limitations to contest a will.

From MarketWatch

To prevent possible violations of the federal conflicts of interest statute, Blanche promised to dump his digital assets no later than 90 days after his Senate confirmation in March, according to his government ethics agreement.

From Salon

The Dodd-Frank Act statute requires the agency’s director to petition for a reasonable amount of funding to carry out the CFPB’s duties from the “combined earnings” of the Federal Reserve System.

From Los Angeles Times

The Kennedy Center’s board of trustees was also created by statute, in 20 U.S.C.

From The Wall Street Journal