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 Scientology’s lawyers filed a motion to strike most of Remini’s lawsuit under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, which protects speech on matters of public interest. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 The coming appellate fight will aim to answer tricky questions about the anti-SLAPP statute – a provision that is often used to fight back against defamation lawsuits, not against discrimination lawsuit filed by former employees against their employer. Bill Donahue, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024 In his ruling, Reed cited state statutes that outlined the importance of protecting public water sources for the public, fish and aquatic life, as well as to protect the scenic and ecological values of water. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 The ruling, treating an embryo the same as a child or gestating fetus under the wrongful death statute, raised concerns about civil liabilities for clinics. Kim Chandler, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024 The concern that prosecutors may be overusing the statute is reasonable. Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2024 The law is a Florida anti-hazing statute in which the students could face felony or misdemeanor charges. Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 But no Arizona statute contains a ban on finalizing divorces if a woman is pregnant, a review of divorce laws showed. The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 The same afternoon of the commission's decision, the Indiana Supreme Court upheld the state law, reversing a lower court's previous ruling that the statute was unconstitutional. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'statute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near statute

Cite this Entry

“Statute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/statute. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

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