statute

[ stach-oot, -oot ]

noun

1. Law.
   1. an enactment made by a legislature and expressed in a formal document.
   2. the document in which such an enactment is expressed.
2. International Law. an instrument annexed or subsidiary to an international agreement, as a treaty.
3. a permanent rule established by an organization, corporation, etc., to govern its internal affairs.

statute

/ ˈstætjuːt /

noun

1. 1. an enactment of a legislative body expressed in a formal document
   2. this document
2. a permanent rule made by a body or institution for the government of its internal affairs

Word History and Origins

Origin of statute¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English statut, from Old French estatut, from Late Latin statūtum, noun use of neuter of Latin statūtus “made to stand,” past participle of statuere “to make stand, set up,” verb derivative of status status

Word History and Origins

Origin of statute¹

C13: from Old French estatut , from Late Latin statūtum , from Latin statuere to set up, decree, ultimately from stāre to stand

Example Sentences

The federal agency said its review, which began more than two years ago, hadn’t reached any “final determinations” about whether Cedars-Sinai violated federal statutes against discrimination.

From Los Angeles Times

“I can’t imagine, unless we have major revision of the statutes, that there could be massive elimination of the scientific core.”

From Science Magazine

FDA has broad statutory authority to ensure food safety, but the center, created in the early 1980s, is not explicitly protected by statute, and could in principle be dismantled by executive action.

From Science Magazine

In a 5-4 decision involving the credit bureau TransUnion in 2021, the court declared that it is not enough for a plaintiff to sue over a defendant’s violation of a federal statute.

From Los Angeles Times

As of 1994, the statute requires student selection through a “random, unbiased process” when a school’s applications exceed enrollment.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• act
• bill
• decree
• edict
• measure
• regulation