statute

statute — noun

1. a rule passed by a country's legislature and recorded in writing, forming part o

1.nounB2
Definition

a rule passed by a country's legislature and recorded in writing, forming part of the official legal code that courts can enforce

Example

The new statute on data protection was passed by parliament in March of last year.

statute + on + [topic]

Under the statute, all employers must provide safe working conditions for their staff.

under + [article] + statute

Common collocations
  • pass a statute
  • enact a statute
  • violate a statute
  • interpret a statute
  • federal statute
  • criminal statute
  • under the statute
  • by statute
  • statute on
Synonyms
  • law

    broader term; statute refers specifically to a written law passed by a legislature

  • legislation

    uncountable and more general; 'statute' is a countable unit of legislation

  • act

    often interchangeable, but 'act' is the term used for a single piece of legislation passed by a parliament

  • regulation

    more specific; regulations are rules created by government agencies under authority granted by a statute

Antonyms
  • common law

    law based on court decisions and custom, not on written statutes

Grammar Patterns

statute + on + [topic]

under + [article/determiner] + statute

by statute

Usage Note

Use with the preposition 'on' to state the topic of the law (a statute on immigration), and with 'under' to describe what the law requires or permits (under the statute, landlords must...). 'By statute' functions as an adverbial phrase meaning 'according to the law.'

Common Mistakes

The government passed a new statute about smoking in public.
The government passed a new statute on smoking in public.
Use 'on' rather than 'about' to state the topic of a statute.
According to statute, you need a license.
Under the statute, you need a license.
Use 'under the statute' as a fixed pattern.

2. refers to the status of a law after it has been officially approved, added to a

2.nounC1
Definition

refers to the status of a law after it has been officially approved, added to a country's written legal collection, and become enforceable by courts

Example

The new environmental law reached the statute book after three years of debate in parliament.

reaches the statute book (becomes law)

The statute book includes many old laws, but the police rarely act on them.

Common collocations
  • on the statute book
  • reach the statute book
  • place on the statute book
  • remain on the statute book
Synonyms
  • on the books

    American English equivalent of 'on the statute book'

  • in force

    describes a law that is currently active and enforceable

Antonyms
  • repealed

    a law that has been officially removed from the statute book

Grammar Patterns

on the statute book

reach(es) the statute book

Usage Note

This sense appears almost exclusively in the fixed phrases 'on the statute book' (meaning the law exists and is in effect) and 'reaches the statute book' (meaning the law becomes officially enacted). More common in British English than American English. American speakers typically use 'on the books' instead.

Common Mistakes

The statute book passed the new law.
The new law reached the statute book.
The statute book is the record of laws; a law reaches or is placed on it, not the other way around.

3. a formal written rule adopted by a company, club, university, or other organizat

3.nounB2
Definition

a formal written rule adopted by a company, club, university, or other organization that its members are expected to follow

Example

The university's statutes require all student organisations to submit annual financial reports.

[organization]'s statutes require + [action]

According to the company statute, the board must hold at least four meetings each year.

Common collocations
  • amend a statute
  • update statutes
  • under the statutes
  • company statute
  • university statute
  • club statute
  • statutes require
  • change a statute
Synonyms
  • by-law

    a specific type of statute made by a local authority or organization, often more detailed

  • rule

    broader and less formal; statutes are formal, written rules of an organization

  • regulation

    similar but often refers to rules issued by a governing body rather than adopted by the organization itself

Grammar Patterns

[organization] + 's + statute(s)

under + [possessive] + statute(s)

Usage Note

This sense typically appears in plural form (statutes) when referring to the complete set of rules governing an organization. Use 'under the statutes' to describe what the rules require: 'under the club's statutes, the treasurer is elected each year.' Distinguish from sense 1: organizational statutes are internal rules, not national laws.

Common Mistakes

The company changed its statute to hire more staff.' (too casual)
The company amended its statutes to create a new executive position.
'Amend' or 'update' are the typical verbs for changing organizational statutes.

Word family

  • statutory
    adjectiveB2
  • statutorily
    adverbC1
  • statute law
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words relate to rules that govern behaviour, but they differ in scope and formality. 'Law' is the broadest term, covering any binding rule — whether written (statutes, regulations) or unwritten (common law). 'Statute' is narrower: it refers specifically to a written law passed by a legislative body such as a parliament or congress. 'Legislation' is an uncountable umbrella term for laws being considered or already passed — you can say 'the government introduced new legislation' but not 'a legislation.' 'Act' is a countable unit of legislation, often interchangeable with 'statute,' though 'act' emphasises the legislative process and is the term used for the final product (e.g., the Education Act). 'Regulation' is a detailed rule created by an executive agency under authority granted by a statute. For example: 'Parliament passed the Clean Water Act (a statute), and then the Environmental Agency issued regulations explaining exactly how factories must treat wastewater under that statute.'

law ↗legislation ↗act ↗regulation ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • statute law
  • statute book
  • statute of limitations

Phrases

  • by statute
  • under the statute
  • on the statute book
  • reach the statute book

Prepositions

  • under a statute
  • by statute
  • in a statute
  • on the statute book

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'statute' comes from Latin 'statutum,' meaning a decree or law, which is the neuter past participle of 'statuere' (to set up, establish, decree). 'Statuere' itself comes from 'status' (standing, position, state). The word entered English in the 13th century through Old French 'estatut,' originally referring to an ordinance or decree issued by a ruler. By the 14th century it had taken on its modern meaning of a law formally enacted by a legislative body.