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 statute of limitations for Comey's charges has lapsed, but the government may argue it is entitled to an extension. —Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025

Orange County was planning to focus on cases with DNA evidence, Ho said, which would mean cases for Sacramento rape victims, where the statute of limitations had run out to prosecute their case and there was no DNA evidence left, would not get their day in court. —Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 10 Dec. 2025

The authors also propose a 10-year statute of limitations (SOL) on deportation for certain long-term residents. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025

Curry Newton was charged with custodial interference, which carries no statute of limitations. —Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Dec. 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