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

His lawyers are asking the judge to dismiss five of the charges against him, arguing that prosecutors have substantially rewritten those counts after the five-year statute of limitations expired. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026

Williamson’s attorneys argue the claims are barred by the statute of limitations. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

The grand jury report acknowledges that there is no statute of limitations in Mississippi for homicide cases. — Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2026

In 2005, the mystery man’s DNA was pre-indicted, a move made to prevent the statute of limitations from expiring, even though his name was not yet known. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 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