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

Example Sentences

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

Recent Examples on the Web After the review, Harrington replaced the staff and board of directors who approved the transfers, and overhauled its bylaws and statutes, to make sure nothing like it ever happens again. —

Nicole Winfield, ajc, 3 June 2023 The new administration, however, has replaced the staff and board of directors who approved them, and overhauled its bylaws and statutes, to make sure nothing like it ever happens again. —

Nicole Winfield, BostonGlobe.com, 3 June 2023 The amount the government can borrow is set in statute, making that a separate process from the decisions made in annual spending bills and policy measures that determine how much funding goes out the door and how much is collected in taxes and other revenues. —

Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 3 June 2023 Lee quickly signed off on the statute and it was set to take effect April 1. —

Kimberlee Kruesi, Anchorage Daily News, 3 June 2023 For first-time offenders in Florida, like Mitchell, a judge can sentence them straight into a probation program under this statute. —

Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 12 May 2023 The decades-old statute was invoked by the Trump administration in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic. —

Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2023 At the time of the release, Gladiator grossed $460 million at the box office and earned eleven Oscar nominations, winning five statutes, including best picture and best actor for Crowe. Pascal, repped by CAA and Jackoway Austen, has upcoming credits that include Ethan Coen’s Drive-Away Dolls. —

Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 May 2023 The federal statute under which R. Kelly was charged requires proof of an ongoing criminal enterprise. —

Michelle Watson, CNN, 25 Apr. 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