statute
STAT-choot
/ˈstætʃuːt/
A written law passed by a legislative body.
Emphasizes the formal, written, and established nature of a law, often implying a permanent fixture in a legal code. It's often used interchangeably with 'act' but can carry a slightly more formal or enduring connotation.
The story behind the word. The word 'statute' comes from the Old French 'statut', which traces back to the Latin 'statutum'. This Latin word means 'an ordinance' or 'regulation', literally 'a thing set up'. It comes from the verb 'statuere', meaning 'to set up' or 'to establish'. So, a 'statute' is a law that has been formally 'set up' or 'established' by a legislative body.
Word relationships
- act: Often interchangeable; 'statute' highlights the written, established nature, while 'act' highlights the legislative action.
- law: More general; a 'statute' is a specific type of law, one formally enacted by a legislature and written down.
- ordinance: An 'ordinance' is a local law, while a 'statute' typically refers to state or national law.
- common law: Law derived from judicial decisions and precedent, rather than statutes.
Commonly confused with
- ordinance: 'Statute' is state/federal law; 'ordinance' is local (city/county) law.
Word family
- statutory (adjective): required, permitted, or enacted by statute
Collocations
- criminal statute
- federal statute
- violate a statute
- enforce a statute
Idioms & expressions
- statute of limitations
Example sentences
- "The new statute on data privacy requires companies to obtain explicit consent before collecting user information." Legal Text
- "The judge cited a specific statute from the state's criminal code to support her decision." Court Ruling
Memory hook
A 'STATUTE' is a 'STAT'ic, 'TUT'orial law that's been 'SET UP'. Set up law
When not to use
Do not use 'statute' for informal rules or guidelines. It refers specifically to formal, enacted laws.
Fun facts
- The 'Statute of Limitations' is a law that sets the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated.
- In some legal systems, 'statute law' is contrasted with 'case law' or 'common law'.
Related words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.