statute of limitations

American  

noun

Law.

1. a statute defining the period within which legal action may be taken.

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statute of limitations British  

noun

1. a legislative enactment prescribing the period of time within which proceedings must be instituted to enforce a right or bring an action at law See also laches

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statute of limitations Cultural  

1. Any law that places a time restriction during which a lawsuit must be brought to court or a crime must be prosecuted.

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Etymology

Origin of statute of limitations

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

statute of limitations

There is a statute of limitations on financial elder abuse, but in this case, pursuing legal action seems like a fruitless task.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026

But the statute of limitations on manslaughter, the charge most police officials and experts believed was appropriate in this case, had long expired by then.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026

On Monday, a federal jury in California unanimously rejected Musk’s claims since the statute of limitations for bringing charges had expired.

From Barron's ● May 20, 2026

In a unanimous verdict, the case was thrown out because Musk filed his lawsuit after a statute of limitations to bring such claims had expired.

From BBC ● May 18, 2026

The statute of limitations ticks itself out, day by day, all memory of the crime being washed away.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides