Statute | Definition of statute by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of STATUTE

1

: a law enacted by the legislative branch of a government

2

: an act of a corporation or of its founder intended as a permanent rule

3

: an international instrument setting up an agency and regulating its scope or authority

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Origin of STATUTE

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

Related to STATUTE

Synonyms: act, bill, constitution, enactment, ordinance, law

Synonym Discussion of 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>.