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

But, Wolfin said an issue may arise around the statute of limitations for constitutional challenges. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 10 Nov. 2026

An agreement to pause the statute of limitations expired at the end of October, making criminal charges against the corporation now impossible. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

The Attorney General has repeatedly said that the Epstein case is not closed and there is no statute of limitations on human trafficking. — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026

Though the statute of limitations for manslaughter has expired in Aruba, prosecution remains possible in the Netherlands. — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 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