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 allegation would be classified as statutory rape per laws in the state that set the age of consent at 18. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026

The legal age of consent in California is 18, meaning the act could be classified as statutory rape. — Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026

In California, if an adult has sex with someone below the age of 18 it can be classified as statutory rape. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 29 July 2026

Amos is charged with three counts of second-degree statutory rape. — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026

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.