status

noun

sta·​tus ˈstā-təs How to pronounce status (audio) ˈsta- How to pronounce status (audio)
plural statuses
often attributive
1
a
: position or rank in relation to others
the status of a father
b
: relative rank in a hierarchy of prestige
especially : high prestige
2
: the condition of a person or thing in the eyes of the law
3
: state or condition with respect to circumstances
the status of the negotiations

Example Sentences

They want to maintain the city's status as a major tourist attraction. He wants to improve his status in the community. people of different social and economic statuses She married a man of status and wealth. This job brings with it a measure of status. They sought asylum and were given refugee status by the government. They are still considered refugees. Their statuses have not changed. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Wayne's status was up in the air when the Colts fired Frank Reich at midseason last year. Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2023 Aston Martin's Lance Stroll was the lone driver who did not participate and his status for Sunday's race is questionable after an offseason bicycle accident. Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2023 Now, his status is one of the league’s biggest storylines and remains the keystone to the Ravens’ plans in 2023 and beyond. Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2023 Her book makes the compelling case that Picasso’s status as an outsider was integral to his genius for boundary breaking. Anne Fadiman, Harper’s Magazine , 1 Mar. 2023 For a large majority, the status of family homes amidst the war has been a primary factor in Ukrainians’ ability to move forward in Europe – or stay rooted in their desire to return. Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2023 Mercy sophomore point guard Alyssa Murphy (14.3 ppg) has missed four straight games with a knee injury, and her status for the regional tournament is uncertain, coach Nick Cann said. Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal, 26 Feb. 2023 The status of that plan, following Watson’s arrest, is unclear. Chris Morris, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2023 Will Richardson, Oregon’s floor general, has been playing through an unspecified injury and his status for Saturday’s game at Oregon State is somewhere between probable and questionable. oregonlive, 23 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'status.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin — more at state

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of status was in 1767

Dictionary Entries Near status

Cite this Entry

“Status.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/status. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Kids Definition

status

noun
sta·​tus ˈstāt-əs How to pronounce status (audio) ˈstat- How to pronounce status (audio)
1
: position or rank in relation to others : standing
2
: state or condition with respect to circumstances : situation

Medical Definition

status

noun
sta·​tus ˈstāt-əs How to pronounce status (audio) ˈstat- How to pronounce status (audio)
plural statuses
: a particular state or condition
a patient's neurological status

Legal Definition

status

noun
sta·​tus ˈstā-təs, ˈsta- How to pronounce status (audio)
1
a
: the condition of a person or a thing in the eyes of the law
b
: position or rank in relation to others
2
: the current state of affairs
Etymology

Latin, mode or condition of being, from stare to stand

More from Merriam-Webster on status

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