statutory rape

noun

: sexual intercourse with a person who is below the statutory age of consent

Examples of statutory rape in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The charging documents say that Evans has prior convictions for statutory rape and lewd acts with a minor. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2025

Meanwhile, Morales has been indicted for statutory rape. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Feb. 2025

He had previously been arraigned on charges including statutory rape and was released after the New Bedford District Court did not honor the immigration detainer. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025

And an ethics report into Matt Gaetz finds substantial evidence of statutory rape and prostitution. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for statutory rape

• agape
• escape
• landscape
• lenape
• reshape
• seascape
• soundscape
• ape
• cape
• crape
• crepe
• drape

Medical Definition

statutory rape

noun

stat·​u·​to·​ry rape ˌstach-ə-ˌtōr-ē- 

: sexual intercourse with a person who is below the age of consent as defined by law

Legal Definition

statutory rape

noun

: rape consisting of sexual intercourse with a person beneath an age (as 14 years) specified by statute

Note: Many state statutes also specify a minimum age of the perpetrator or an age differential (as at least four years) between the perpetrator and the victim. Consent of the victim and belief that the victim is of the age of consent are usually considered immaterial. Statutory rape is now codified under various names, such as rape in the second degree, rape in the third degree, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, and criminal sexual conduct in the second degree.