statutory

adjective

stat·​u·​to·​ry ˈsta-chə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce statutory (audio)
Synonyms of statutory
1
: of or relating to statutes
a statutory provision
2
: enacted, created, or regulated by statute
a statutory age limit
statutorily
ˌsta-chə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē How to pronounce statutory (audio)
adverb

Examples of statutory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Taxpayers may qualify for relief due to a good compliance history, reasonable cause, or a statutory exception. — Jamela Adam, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 The commission and its inspectors general would have full independent statutory subpoena power to compel documents and testimony during investigations, an independent budget and independent authority to release reports after finding wrongdoing. — Collin Corbett, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 The coalition argues in its complaint that the rule exceeds USPS’ statutory authority, violates the Voting Rights Act and intrudes on states’ constitutional power to administer elections. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 The lawsuit seeks court approval of class-action status, as well as a judgment in the amount of all back wages due UnityPoint workers, plus statutory damages and attorneys’ fees. — Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for statutory

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of statutory was in 1678

Phrases Containing statutory

Rhymes for statutory

See All Rhymes for statutory

Browse Nearby Words

statutorily
statutory
statutory bond
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Statutory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/statutory. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

statutory

adjective
stat·​u·​to·​ry ˈstach-ə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce statutory (audio)
-ˌtȯr-
1
: of or relating to statutes
2
: regulated by statute
3
: punishable by statute

Legal Definition

statutory

adjective
stat·​u·​to·​ry ˈsta-chə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce statutory (audio)
1
: of or relating to a statute or statutes
a statutory provision
2
: enacted, created, regulated, or defined by statute
a statutory presumption
a statutory insider
statutorily
ˌsta-chə-ˈtōr-ə-lē How to pronounce statutory (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on statutory

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for statutory

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All