I. state ‧ ment 1 S2 W1 /ˈsteɪtmənt/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ state , ↑ understate ≠ ↑ overstate ; noun : ↑ statement , ↑ understatement ≠ ↑ overstatement ; adjective : ↑ understated ≠ OVERSTATED ]
1 . [countable] something you say or write, especially publicly or officially, to let people know your intentions or opinions, or to record facts:
In an official statement, she formally announced her resignation.
statement on/about
the Prime Minister’s recent statements on Europe
2 . [countable] a record showing amounts of money paid, received, owed etc:
the company’s annual financial statements
I haven’t received my bank statement for last month yet.
3 . [countable] something you do, make, wear etc that causes people to have a certain opinion about you:
The type of car you drive makes a statement about you.
a fashion statement
4 . [uncountable] formal the act of expressing something in words:
presentation and clarity of statement
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ make a statement (=say something, especially in public)
The minister will make a statement on the matter tomorrow.
▪ give a statement (=make a statement, especially to the police)
He gave a statement to the police.
▪ issue/release/put out a statement (=give a written statement to newspapers, TV etc)
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a short statement saying the meeting was ‘useful’.
▪ take/get a statement from somebody
I asked the police why they didn’t take a statement from me four years ago.
▪ withdraw your statement (=say that a statement you gave is not true)
She later withdrew her statement.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + statement
▪ a short/brief statement
Police last night issued a brief statement about the incident.
▪ a clear statement (=giving an opinion clearly)
The article was a clear statement of his beliefs.
▪ a sweeping statement (=one that is too general)
Researchers do not want to make any sweeping statements at this stage.
▪ a false/misleading statement (=one that is not true)
She is accused of making false statements to obtain a passport.
▪ an official statement
The company is expected to make an official statement tomorrow.
▪ a formal statement (=one you must sign to show that it is true)
You will be asked to make a formal statement.
▪ a public statement (=one made in public)
We will be making no public statements about the matter.
▪ a written statement
One neighbour said in a written statement that she often heard a baby ‘crying for help’.
▪ a prepared statement (=one that is prepared and then read out)
His solicitor read a prepared statement on his behalf.
▪ a sworn statement (=one that you officially promise is true)
The reports were based on sworn statements of graduates of the terrorist training camp.
▪ a policy statement (=one that explains a government policy)
In his first major policy statement to Parliament he promised to end corruption in public life.
▪ a mission statement (=one in which an organization states its aims)
The role of a mission statement is to focus on the purpose of the organization.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ statement something that someone says or writes publicly in order to tell people what they intend to do, what their opinion is etc:
The President will make a statement to the press this afternoon.
▪ announcement a public or official statement telling people what has happened or what will happen:
The announcement was heard by millions of radio listeners this morning.
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The company made an announcement yesterday that Rogers has resigned as managing director.
▪ declaration an important official statement, especially about what a government or organization intends to do:
On the 19th of July a declaration of war was delivered in Berlin.
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Independence Hall is where the delegates met to sign the Declaration of Independence and write the Constitution.
▪ press release an official statement giving information to the newspapers, radio, or television:
The singer issued a press release saying that she was too ill to continue with the tour.
▪ testimony a formal statement saying that something is true, especially one a witness makes in a court of law:
The testimony of the two arresting officers was an important part of the prosecution case.
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The jury based their decision almost entirely on the testimony of one witness.
▪ affidavit law a written statement that you swear is true, for use as proof in a court of law:
A prison doctor who treated the accused sent an affidavit about his mental state.
II. statement 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
British English if an education authority statements a child who has special educational needs, they give a school additional money to help teach that child
III. statement 3 BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]
statement pieces of jewellery, shoes etc are very noticeable and impressive - used especially in magazines