statute

noun

stat·​ute ˈsta-(ˌ)chüt 

-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

Synonyms

• act
• bill
• constitution
• enactment
• law
• ordinance

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

Gaines said his understanding was that any programs not required by congressional statute are especially vulnerable. —Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 14 Feb. 2025

The program was always expected to take years, according to the statute, before homes could be connected or infrastructure could be built. —Maria Curi, Axios, 13 Feb. 2025

According to the statute, civil arrests cannot occur at a courthouse or in the surrounding area or while a person is heading to, attending or leaving a proceeding — and immigration violations generally are a civil matter. —Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 13 Feb. 2025

Doing so can end up in law enforcement ordering your car to be towed, according to state statute 304.157. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2025

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

Phrases Containing statute

• statute book
• statute mile
• statute of limitations
• the statute book

Kids Definition

statute

noun

stat·​ute ˈstach-üt 

-ət

: a law put into effect by the legislative branch of a government

Legal Definition

statute

noun

stat·​ute ˈsta-chüt 

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