status

noun

sta·​tus ˈstā-təs  ˈsta- 

plural statuses

often attributive

1

a

: position or rank when compared to others in a society, organization, group, etc.

the book's best-seller status

efforts to maintain the city's status as a major tourist attraction

socioeconomic status

Archaeology has high status because it is considered a hard science relative to other branches of social studies.

—Mark A. Blumler

… became successful at a time when chefs in America began to be given celebrity status …

—Michael Roberts

b

: relative rank in a hierarchy of prestige

especially : high prestige

married a person of status and wealth

This job brings with it a measure of status.

2

: the official situation of a person or thing according to the law

immigration status

… senior IRS officials … ruled that the project was not entitled to tax-exempt status …

—David Burnham

… fighting an uphill battle to gain refugee status in Canada.

—Daniel Eisenberg

3

: the current state or condition of someone or something with respect to circumstances

the status of the negotiations/project

employment/relationship status

The manager asked for a status report.

… always check with your airline about the status of your flight …

—Jessica Puckett

Synonyms of status

• situation
• deal
• story

Examples of status in a Sentence

They want to maintain the city's status as a major tourist attraction.

He wants to improve his status in the community.

people of different social and economic statuses

She married a man of status and wealth.

This job brings with it a measure of status.

They sought asylum and were given refugee status by the government.

They are still considered refugees. Their statuses have not changed.

Recent Examples on the Web

To find their polling location and check their voter status, voters can visit the two counties’ websites. — Ruth Abramovitz, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Southampton’s status as one of England’s premier talent houses is justified by the top of this list thanks to their sale of a 16-year-old Theo Walcott to Arsenal in January 2006. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

White and Clark also were involved in a sideline spat in late May and there was speculation about White’s job status following the incident. — CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Rising costs of living and confusion over student loan statuses could make things even worse. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin — more at state

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing status

• maintain the status quo
• marital status
• status offender
• status quo
• status quo ante
• status symbol
• the status quo
• unc status

Rhymes for status

• flatus
• gratis
• lattice
• rattus
• satis
• stratus
• apparatus
• superlattice
• beatus

Kids Definition

status

noun

sta·​tus ˈstāt-əs  ˈstat- 

1

: position or rank in relation to others : standing

2

: state or condition with respect to circumstances : situation

Medical Definition

status

noun

sta·​tus ˈstāt-əs  ˈstat- 

plural statuses

: a particular state or condition

a patient's neurological status

Legal Definition

status

noun

sta·​tus ˈstā-təs, ˈsta- 

1

a

: the condition of a person or a thing in the eyes of the law

b

: position or rank in relation to others

2

: the current state of affairs

Etymology

Latin, mode or condition of being, from stare to stand