statute of limitations

noun phrase

: a statute assigning a certain time after which rights cannot be enforced by legal action or offenses cannot be punished

Examples of statute of limitations in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The statute of limitations for the earlier song had run out, the court ruled. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2026

The two-year statute of limitations applies everywhere in Texas, regardless of where the injured person lives or where the crash occurred. — Karen Koehler, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026

Any fraud that might be turned up in an investigation, Ray wrote, couldn't be prosecuted, because the statute of limitations – the legal deadline to bring a criminal case – has expired. — Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Justice Department lawyer William McComb said the statute of limitations issue is not relevant at the investigative stage. — ABC News, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for statute of limitations

• abbreviations
• abominations
• accelerations
• accommodations
• accumulations
• adjudications
• administrations
• adulterations
• affiliations
• agglomerations
• alienations
• amalgamations

Legal Definition

statute of limitations

1

a

: a statute establishing a period of time from the accrual of a cause of action (as upon the occurrence or discovery of an injury) within which a right of action must be exercised compare laches, statute of repose

b

: a criminal statute establishing the period of time within which an offense can be punished after its commission

2

: a period of time established by a statute of limitations for commencing an action or prosecution

3

: an affirmative defense that the statute of limitations has expired