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.

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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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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

As Thomas first warned in 2020, these decisions read “extra immunity” into the statute based on “policy and purpose arguments” rather than the plain text of the law.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

In some cases, fraud has a four-year statute of limitations.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

“If a statute is ambiguous, then it’s the court that makes the call about what the statute means, not the agency,” Pettit explained.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

Any bills not on the statute book by then will fall, but can be brought back.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 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

Related Words

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