statute — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A written law or ordinance passed by a legislative body.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The new statute limited working hours.

   Parliament passed a statute on environmental protection.

   More examples (3)

   criminal statute

   statute book

   Despite criticisms which were made of the Railway Executive, it must be recalled that the general framework of the new railway set-up was established by statute, while this form of organisation was particularly well adapted for carrying out the unification of the railways—a very different thing from the purely political act of nationalisation, but an essential part of the objective of nationalisation.

2. A rule of an organization or institution.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. A law or decree made by a sovereign, or by God.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

4. A (theoretical) type of statutory law specified as regulating a person or thing.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Historical
   • Uncountable

5. A (theoretical) type of statutory law specified as regulating a person or thing. Legal status of being subject to this.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Historical
   • Uncountable

6. A statute fair.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Historical
   • Uncountable

Adjective

1. enacted by a legislative body

   Synonyms

   codified

   Examples

   statute law

   codified written laws

Noun

1. an act passed by a legislative body

   Synonyms

   legislative act

   Broader terms

   actenactment