statement

noun state·ment \ ˈstāt-mənt \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of statement

1 : something stated: such as

a : a single declaration or remark : assertion

b : a report of facts or opinions

2 : the act or process of stating or presenting orally or on paper

3 : proposition 2a

4 : the presentation of a theme in a musical composition

5 : a summary of activity in a financial account over a particular period of time

6 : an opinion, comment, or message conveyed indirectly usually by nonverbal means

monuments are statements in form and space
—O. B. Hardison, Jr.

7 : an instruction in a computer program

See statement defined for English-language learners

See statement defined for kids

Examples of statement in a Sentence

His office issued an official statement concerning his departure.
This is his first public statement about the investigation.
I disagree with your earlier statement about my record on this issue.
The advertisement included misleading statements about the product.
The police took the witness's statement.
We have a signed statement from a witness.
The boycott was intended as a political statement.
We'll need to review your recent financial statements.

Recent Examples of statement from the Web

The grocery chain issued the following statement: Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. announced the Company was notified after the close of business on April 13, 2018, by Rose Acre Farms of Seymour, Indiana, of a voluntary egg recall.

— sabrina lolo, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Publix recalls 18-pack extra large eggs," 17 Apr. 2018
McBride clarified his comment about 'restoring civility' and emphasized the statement is not directed towards Hutton.

— karen pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Former Tosa Alderman McBride announces state Assembly bid," 17 Apr. 2018
The differences in positions contrast with the upbeat public statements by the top officials in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, who’ve expressed optimism recently about the process.

— eric martin, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Push for Quick Nafta Deal Slowed by Persistent Divide," 16 Apr. 2018
Solange also released the following artist statement: Metatronia explores the process, and mapping of creation.

— naomi elias, The Cut, "Solange’s Newest Performance Art Project Wants to Help You Meditate," 16 Apr. 2018
The abrupt announcement ran counter to Secretary of Defense Mattis’s long-articulated positions on the region and the recent on-the-record statements of several senior military officials.

— james stavridis, Time, "Ret. Admiral: President Trump’s Actions Are Making Many Military Leaders Uncomfortable," 16 Apr. 2018
The meeting was held in private, but the organization released the prepared statements of Mr. Uzumcu and some other officials.

— richard pÉrez-peÑa and rick gladstone, New York Times, "Chemical Arms Experts Blocked From Site of Syria Attack," 16 Apr. 2018
Brown might have been referring to wrap dresses, but the statement also applied to von Furstenberg’s vision for a set of awards that recognized and championed women nearly a decade ahead of #MeToo and #Overlooked.

— lilah ramzi, Vogue, "Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Misty Copeland Honored at the 9th Annual DVF Awards," 16 Apr. 2018
Defense attorney Edward Bravenec told the jury in his opening statement that the two children’s mother and Phillips were clearly guilty of child abuse and abandonment, that Dorch worked all the time and that his involvement is in question.

— elizabeth zavala, San Antonio Express-News, "Deputy cries as he describes San Antonio children tied up like dogs," 16 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'statement.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of statement

1702

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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statement Synonyms

Synonyms

account, bill, check, invoice, tab;

Related Words

receipt, reckoning;

document, ledger, record;

charge, cost, expense, fee, price, rate, toll;

score, tally;

STATEMENT Defined for English Language Learners

statement

noun

Definition of statement for English Language Learners

: something that you say or write in a formal or official way : something that is stated
: an opinion, attitude, etc., that you express through the things you do, the way you dress, etc.
: a document which shows amounts of money that you have received, spent, etc. : a brief record of a financial account

STATEMENT Defined for Kids

statement

noun state·ment \ ˈstāt-mənt \

Definition of statement for Students

1 : something written or said in a formal way : something stated

The company issued a statement about the new game.

2 : a brief record of a business account

a monthly bank statement

Law Dictionary

statement

noun state·ment

legal Definition of statement

1 a : an official or formal report or declaration

a statement of policy

b : an oral or written assertion (as by a witness) or conduct intended as an assertion — see also hearsay, prior consistent statement, prior inconsistent statement

2 : a financial record or accounting