Statute
noun /ˈstætʃ.uːt/ — A written law passed by a legislative body.
Definition
A written law passed by a legislative body and formally signed into force. Statutes are the primary source of law in most modern states — as opposed to common law, which develops through court decisions.
Beyond the definition
A statute is a law with a visible author — the legislature voted, the executive signed, the date is known. It is law made deliberate, as opposed to law that accumulated through precedent over centuries.
Origin & history
From Medieval Latin 'statutum' (established by decree); from 'statuere' (to set up, establish). Related to 'statute of limitations' and 'statutes of a university'.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The statute was clear on the matter, but enforcement varied by jurisdiction — the gap between law and practice.
She spent three years lobbying for a statute that would have changed the legal landscape for caregivers.
A statute of limitations says: after this much time, the law will not pursue you. Time becomes a kind of amnesty.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Statute” when the meaning fits your context: A written law passed by a legislative body and formally signed into force. Statutes are the primary source of law in most modern states — as opposed to common law, which develops through court decisions.
Synonyms
law, act, legislation, code
Antonyms
common law, customary law
Related words
Statute vs ordinance
A statute is a formal law passed by a legislative body at the state or national level. An ordinance is typically a local law or regulation enacted by a municipality or city council.
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Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Adult With Document In Court
An adult stands in a vast, wood-paneled courtroom, holding a single document, reflecting the formal authority of written law.
A statute is a written law enacted by a legislative body. Its presence in the courtroom signifies the primary source of legal authority, which governs the actions of individuals and the structure of justice.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Statute" mean?
Statute is noun meaning: A written law passed by a legislative body.. A written law passed by a legislative body and formally signed into force. Statutes are the primary source of law in most modern states — as opposed to common law, which develops through court decisions.
Where does the word "Statute" come from?
From Medieval Latin 'statutum' (established by decree); from 'statuere' (to set up, establish). Related to 'statute of limitations' and 'statutes of a university'.