statute of limitations

noun

Law.

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

statute of limitations

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

statute of limitations

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of statute of limitations¹

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

There is also a statute of limitations on contesting a will.

Read more on MarketWatch

The lawsuits were spurred by a 2020 law that changed the statute of limitations and gave victims a new window to sue.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The five-year statute of limitations for charges based on that hearing would have expired next week.

Read more on BBC

The charges were filed shortly before the five-year statute of limitations was set to expire on Tuesday.

Read more on BBC

Fiorella’s complaint has gone through several levels of state and federal courts, with most agreeing that the challenge to his conviction was years past the statute of limitations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times