statute

noun

stat·ute ˈsta-(ˌ)chüt

-chət

Synonyms of statute next

: a law enacted by the legislative branch of a government

: an act of a corporation or of its founder intended as a permanent rule

: an international instrument setting up an agency and regulating its scope or authority

Choose the Right Synonym for statute

law, rule, regulation, precept, statute, ordinance, canon mean a principle governing action or procedure.

law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

Examples of statute in a Sentence

The state legislature passed the statute by an overwhelming margin. business practices that are prohibited by statute

Recent Examples on the Web For now, the only thing that is certain is that the Justice Department filed charges against the president’s son under a gun control statute of questionable constitutionality in the middle of a post-Bruen revolution in Second Amendment case law. —

Matt Ford, The New Republic, 18 Sep. 2023 Then the federal statute says that no applicant for asylum can get a work authorization at least until their application is pending for a hundred and eighty days. —

Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2023 He is charged with one count of violating the federal interstate threats statute, and if convicted, would face a maximum penalty of five years in prison, the justice department said. —

Maeve Lawler, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023 If not, are there positive indications the Legislature intended to exempt public agencies from the statute? —

Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023 But in 1872, Congress granted amnesty to most officials covered by the section, and in 1898, another statute lifted the remaining prohibitions. —

Politifact Staff Writer, Dallas News, 7 Sep. 2023 Hundreds of court decisions have created a now-venerable jurisprudence around the statute. —

Ron Wyden, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2023 The administration of former President Donald Trump used Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, a statute aimed at combating trade partners' unfair practices, to launch the China tariffs in 2018 and 2019. —

Fox News, 6 Sep. 2023 The public trust doctrine is well-established in Utah law, confirmed by statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and the Utah constitution. —

Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 6 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'statute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French estatut, from Late Latin statutum law, regulation, from Latin, neuter of statutus, past participle of statuere to set up, station, from status position, state

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of statute was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century