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 office said in a statement that, as far as the domestic violence allegations, the statute of limitations had run out. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 8 July 2025

The Practice Unit advises examiners that the statute of limitations to impose Form 3520-A penalties does not end until three years after a complete and accurate Form 3520-A has been filed. —Matthew L. Roberts, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025

The statute of limitations for filing the complaint ends on July 10. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2025

The statute of limitations for those charges is at least five years. —Tony Cook, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

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