status

noun

sta·​tus ˈstā-təs  ˈsta- 

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

Synonyms

• situation
• deal
• story

Examples of status in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

On that team, Smith contributed to research pertaining to improving the economic status of women and helped curate the Employer Toolkit on Gender Equity. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 2025

Channeling the status of a luxury tennis bracelet, this 14K white gold pair of hoop earrings from Blue Nile features diamonds in a bezel setting — the perfect mix of classic and on-trend. —Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2025

The elites of colonial society had to legislate difference in status, distance in proximity, and the alienation of affections between people of European, African and Indigenous ancestry. —Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025

The man reportedly has legal status in France and was known to police, according to local reports. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin — more at state

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing status

• maintain the status quo
• marital status
• status offender
• status quo
• status quo ante
• status symbol
• the status quo

Rhymes for status

• flatus
• gratis
• lattice
• rattus
• satis
• stratus
• apparatus
• superlattice
• beatus

Kids Definition

status

noun

sta·​tus ˈstāt-əs  ˈstat- 

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  ˈstat- 

plural statuses

: a particular state or condition

a patient's neurological status

Legal Definition

status

noun

sta·​tus ˈstā-təs, ˈsta- 

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