www.fgks.org   »   [go: up one dir, main page]
Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

statute

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

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

 For instance, a 2016 New York statute requires that Medicaid managed care plans suppress all EOBs for minors who have consented to their own health care. — Mattie Quinn, SELF, "How to Get Birth Control and STI Testing If You’re on Your Parent’s Insurance," 5 Dec. 2018 The artist Robert Rauschenberg, a central figure in the fight for the statute’s implementation in the 1970s, often referenced his own experiences to champion the law. — Amanda Svachula, New York Times, "California Tried to Give Artists a Cut. But the Judges Said No.," 11 July 2018 Congress has devised a wide variety of limits and exceptions to the anti-discrimination statutes. — Alexia Fernández Campbell, Vox, "Kavanaugh is presenting himself as a #MeToo ally. His record shows he is not.," 6 Sep. 2018 Hemmons pointed to an Ohio statute that gives mayors, rather than council presidents, the ability to fill vacant seats if council doesn't vote. — Cory Shaffer, cleveland.com, "Appeals Court rules East Cleveland mayor violated charter in appointing councilmen," 30 Mar. 2018 On top of that is the applicability of these statutes to foreign bank accounts. — Emily Stewart, Vox, "8 experts on why the Paul Manafort jury doesn’t have a verdict yet — and what it might mean," 19 Aug. 2018 Drive the German countryside — no statutes of Hitler, for example. — Lauren Ritchie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Statue of Confederate general is no 'piece of art,' has no place in Lake County museum," 1 July 2018 Britain has no statute of limits on rape cases; some of the allegations under investigation there date to the 1980s. — CBS News, "Harvey Weinstein arraigned on rape, other sex charges," 25 May 2018 Britain has no statute of limits on rape cases; some of the allegations under investigation there date to the 1980s. — Shane Dixon Kavanaugh, OregonLive.com, "Harvey Weinstein turns himself in to face sex crime charges in New York," 25 May 2018

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

Learn More about statute

Statistics for statute

Last Updated

11 Mar 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for statute

The first known use of statute was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

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

Comments on statute

What made you want to look up statute? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

purview

Listen to the pronounciation of purview

the range of authority or knowledge

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Original Meanings Quiz

  • rembrandt-painting-a-young-scholar-and-his-tutor
  • Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

TRENDING NOW

  1. catamount Vermont enters the Round of 64

  2. mendacious, mendacity George Conway calls Trump a liar

  3. crawdad New novel makes waves

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games