statute

UK: /ˈstætʃuːt/ US: /ˈstætʃut/ ,(stach′o̅o̅t, -ŏŏt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

stat•ute /ˈstætʃut/   n. 

1. Law
   • Law a law passed by a legislature:
     [countable] to pass a statute against double taxation.
     [uncountable] By statute, this behavior cannot be prosecuted.
   • Law [countable] a document stating such a law.

See -stat-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

stat•ute  (stach′o̅o̅t, -ŏŏt), n. 

1. Law
   • an enactment made by a legislature and expressed in a formal document.
   • the document in which such an enactment is expressed.
2. Law [Internat. Law.] an instrument annexed or subsidiary to an international agreement, as a treaty.
3. a permanent rule established by an organization, corporation, etc., to govern its internal affairs.

• Late Latin statūtum, noun, nominal use of neuter of Latin statūtus (past participle of statuere to make stand, set up, derivative of status status), equivalent. to statū-, verb. stem + -tus past participle suffix
• Old French estatut
• Middle English statut 1250–1300

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

statute / ˈstætjuːt/ noun

1. an enactment of a legislative body expressed in a formal document
2. this document
3. a permanent rule made by a body or institution for the government of its internal affairs

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French estatut, from Late Latin statūtum, from Latin statuere to set up, decree, ultimately from stāre to stand