statute
/ˈstætʃuːt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstætʃuːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsta-(ˌ)chüt -chət/ (ame, mw)
statute — noun
- statutesingular
- statutesplural
1. a rule passed by a country's legislature and recorded in writing, forming part o
a rule passed by a country's legislature and recorded in writing, forming part of the official legal code that courts can enforce
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
The city council introduced a statute banning single-use plastic bags in local shops.
Diya explained that the statute gave citizens the right to access government documents.
By statute, all new buildings in the area must include wheelchair-accessible entrances.
- 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
- common law
law based on court decisions and custom, not on written statutes
文法句型
statute + on + [topic]
under + [article/determiner] + statute
by statute
用法筆記
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.'
常見錯誤
2. refers to the status of a law after it has been officially approved, added to a
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
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.
Eleni learned that a law from 1835 is still on the statute book in her country.
The government promised to place stronger consumer protections on the statute book by next year.
- on the books
American English equivalent of 'on the statute book'
- in force
describes a law that is currently active and enforceable
- repealed
a law that has been officially removed from the statute book
文法句型
on the statute book
reach(es) the statute book
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
3. a formal written rule adopted by a company, club, university, or other organizat
a formal written rule adopted by a company, club, university, or other organization that its members are expected to follow
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.
The sports club changed its statute to allow non-resident members to vote in elections.
The hospital updated its statutes to include a clear policy on patient data privacy.
- 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
文法句型
[organization] + 's + statute(s)
under + [possessive] + statute(s)
用法筆記
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.