statute of limitations

noun phrase

: a statute assigning a certain time after which rights cannot be enforced by legal action or offenses cannot be punished

Examples of statute of limitations in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Combs was unable to be charged for assaulting Ventura due to the statute of limitations. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 16 May 2025

Such cases, the department has said, would have no statute of limitations. —Patricia Lopez, Mercury News, 14 May 2025

The statute of limitations does not apply in the case because Morris did not reside in or inhabit Oklahoma for any period of time, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office said. —Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 May 2025

So, what is the statute of limitations for your tax return? —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for statute of limitations

• abbreviations
• abominations
• accelerations
• accommodations
• accumulations
• adjudications
• administrations
• adulterations
• affiliations
• agglomerations
• alienations
• amalgamations

Legal Definition

statute of limitations

1

a

: a statute establishing a period of time from the accrual of a cause of action (as upon the occurrence or discovery of an injury) within which a right of action must be exercised compare laches, statute of repose

b

: a criminal statute establishing the period of time within which an offense can be punished after its commission

2

: a period of time established by a statute of limitations for commencing an action or prosecution

3

: an affirmative defense that the statute of limitations has expired