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 alleged misconduct occurred more than 20 years ago, far past the one to ten year statute of limitations for most of the claims, the rap mogul’s lawyer said. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2025

The act removed the statute of limitations for when child abuse victims can sue their perpetrators. —Chevall Pryce, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2025

During the last legislative session, lawmakers approved extending the statute of limitations for first-degree arson from five years to 10. —Gracie Stockton, Twin Cities, 11 Aug. 2025

There is a ten year statute of limitations on collections that runs against the IRS. —Peter J Reilly, Forbes.com, 31 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