1 statute | Definition of statute
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

statute

noun
stat·​ute | \ ˈsta-(ËŒ)chüt How to pronounce statute (audio) , -chÉ™t\

Definition of statute

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 Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about statute

Keep scrolling for more

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

 The formal determination allows Trump, under an obscure statute in the federal code overseeing the military, to tap the funds appropriated for other purposes without sign-off from Congress. — Paul Sonne, Washington Post, "Pentagon approves diversion of military construction funds for Trump’s wall," 4 Sep. 2019 The formal determination allows Trump, under an obscure statute in the federal code overseeing the military, to tap the funds appropriated for other purposes without approval from Congress. — oregonlive, "Pentagon approves diversion of military construction funds for Trump’s border wall," 3 Sep. 2019 Oklahoma pursued the case under the state's public nuisance statute and presented the judge with a plan to abate the crisis that would cost between $12.6 billion for 20 years and $17.5 billion over 30 years. — Fortune, "Johnson & Johnson Helped Drive Oklahoma’s Drug Crisis, Judge Rules," 26 Aug. 2019 Under the statute, that process could be triggered by any member of the union filing a protest based on the videos. — Jonathan Handel, Los Angeles Times, "Film school’s ties with Matthew Modine face scrutiny in heated SAG-AFTRA election," 21 Aug. 2019 The one catch: Pierluisi wasn’t approved by the Senate, although Rosselló argued that the secretary of state did not need legislative approval under a 2005 statute. — Catherine Kim, Vox, "Vox Sentences: 3 governors in 5 days," 9 Aug. 2019 They were reviewed under statute, and they were released to the public in 2000. — Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, "How a Historian Uncovered Ronald Reagan’s Racist Remarks to Richard Nixon," 2 Aug. 2019 Upon Richardson’s death, Brown was required under state statute to name a Republican as his successor. — The Bend Bulletin, oregonlive.com, "Some Oregon Republicans are having regrets about effort to recall Gov. Kate Brown," 25 July 2019 The driver, Herbert Alan Nichols, was arrested and charged under a state smuggling statute. — Dylan Mcguinness, ExpressNews.com, "Judge dismisses parts of AG’s ‘sanctuary city’ lawsuit against San Antonio; driver faced charges in May," 10 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'statute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of statute

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for statute

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

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for statute

statute

noun
How to pronounce statute (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of statute

: a written law that is formally created by a government
: a written rule or regulation

See the full definition for statute in the English Language Learners Dictionary

statute

noun
stat·​ute | \ ˈsta-chüt How to pronounce statute (audio) \

Kids Definition of statute

: law sense 4 a state statute

statute

noun
stat·​ute | \ ˈsta-chüt How to pronounce statute (audio) \

Legal Definition of statute

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

History and Etymology for statute

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

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on statute

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with statute

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for statute

Spanish Central: Translation of statute

Nglish: Translation of statute for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of statute for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about statute

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!