statute

noun

stat·​ute ˈsta-(ˌ)chüt 

-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

Synonyms of statute

• law
• act
• bill
• ordinance
• amendment

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

That revision stemmed from a recent Florida statute allowing investments in Israel bonds regardless of the country’s rating. — Sharon Udasin, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026

The statute also required the Education Department to identify a model curriculum on 9/11 for optional use. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Roughly two dozen countries have statutes that classify maternal infanticide as less culpable than ordinary murder; the United States recognizes no such distinction, forcing cases like Clancy’s into the contentious framework of the insanity defense. — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

The habeas statute directs judges to give the government three days to initially respond with justification for the detention but allows for that deadline to be extended up to 20 days. — Carla Astudillo, ProPublica, 3 Sep. 2026

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

Phrases Containing statute

• statute book
• statute mile
• statute of limitations
• the statute book

Kids Definition

statute

noun

stat·​ute ˈstach-üt 

-ət

: a law put into effect by the legislative branch of a government

Legal Definition

statute

noun

stat·​ute ˈsta-chüt 

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