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

Federal student loans, however, have no statute of limitations.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

Attorneys signed up a Tennessee client who was injured at a Nashville rental car business, but the one-year statute of limitations ran out before they filed the case, the bar complaint said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

In Texas, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is generally two years from the date the malpractice occurred.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Giuffre's sister-in-law Amanda Roberts said her wish was to eliminate the statute of limitations.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

But on January 21, Hiss was convicted of perjury relating to his alleged espionage; he could not be tried as a spy because the five-year statute of limitations had run out.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau