statute

noun

stat·​ute ˈsta-(ˌ)chüt How to pronounce statute (audio)
-chət
1
: a law enacted by the legislative branch of a government
2
: an act of a corporation or of its founder intended as a permanent rule
3
: an international instrument setting up an agency and regulating its scope or authority
Choose the Right Synonym for statute

law, rule, regulation, precept, statute, ordinance, canon mean a principle governing action or procedure.

law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

Examples of statute in a Sentence

The state legislature passed the statute by an overwhelming margin. business practices that are prohibited by statute
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Last week, Republican lawmakers in the U.S. Committee on Natural Resources argued at an oversight meeting that the Endangered Species Act was an overreach of federal authority and an ambiguous statute, as part of a broader reexamination of conservation laws. Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025 Former child support office head Vicki Turetsky expressed concerns about the request, pointing to federal statutes that restrict access to the information for specific purposes. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 The library provided communications law books and resources so staff could have an accurate reading of the agency's authorities and statutes. Maria Curi, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025 That statute gives developers wide discretion in where to propose affordable housing, and sharply limits the grounds that communities can cite to reject it. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for statute

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French estatut, from Late Latin statutum law, regulation, from Latin, neuter of statutus, past participle of statuere to set up, station, from status position, state

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of statute was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Statute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/statute. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

statute

noun
stat·​ute ˈstach-üt How to pronounce statute (audio)
-ət
: a law put into effect by the legislative branch of a government

Legal Definition

statute

noun
stat·​ute ˈsta-chüt How to pronounce statute (audio)
1
: a law enacted by the legislative branch of a government see also code, statutory law
2
: an act of a corporation or its founder intended as a permanent rule
3
: an international instrument setting up an agency and regulating its scope or authority
the statute of the International Court of Justice
Etymology

Latin statutum law, regulation, from neuter of statutus, past participle of statuere to set up, station, from status position, state

More from Merriam-Webster on statute

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!