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

Even though Heinrich admitted to assaulting Jared Scheierl, he couldn't be charged in the case because the statute of limitations had expired. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 17 July 2026

Otis along with 14 other women had initially filed complaints against Marie in Paris in 2020, which were later dismissed by the Paris prosecutor’s office due to the statute of limitations having run out. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 July 2026

There is also the question of how the Justice Department could bring charges, since the likely five-year statute of limitations would have already expired in late 2025 or early 2026. — Daniel Klaidman, CBS News, 13 July 2026

The statute of limitations for the earlier song had run out, the court ruled. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 11 July 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