What does pursuant mean?
Pursuant is a formal word meaning “in accordance with” a law, rule, agreement, instruction, or other authority. It occurs most often in the fixed phrase “pursuant to,” as in “pursuant to the terms of the contract” or “pursuant to court order.” In legal and administrative writing, it signals that an action is taken because a stated source of authority requires or permits it. The expression is especially common in contracts, legislation, regulations, court documents, official notices, and institutional policies. It is chiefly associated with American English, although it is also used in British legal writing. Because it can sound technical or impersonal, ordinary conversational writing often uses simpler alternatives such as “according to,” “under,” or “in compliance with.” When used correctly, pursuant provides a direct reference to the governing rule or authority behind an action.
In accordance with a law, rule, agreement, instruction, or other specified authority.
"The payment was made pursuant to the schedule set out in the contract."
Almost always used in the fixed expression “pursuant to,” with the governing law, rule, document, or authority following it.
In accordance with stated or applicable requirements.
"The agency reviewed the application pursuant."
This independent use is less common than the prepositional expression and sounds formal or legalistic.
When a document says “pursuant to,” the action is not discretionary: it is being done because a law, agreement, or authority requires it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pursuant come from?
The word was borrowed into English from French, where it developed from the language of pursuing and following. Its history is connected with pursue, which comes through French from Latin prosequi, meaning “to follow onward” or “to pursue.” Related English words include pursuit and prosecution, which also trace their development to the same Latin root.
How pursuant is actually used
The expression is formal and is especially characteristic of legal, regulatory, contractual, and administrative prose. Although dictionaries also record it as an adverb, use in the fixed phrase “pursuant to” is by far the most common.
Easily confused with pursuant
“Pursuant to” means in accordance with a specified rule or authority, whereas “pertain to” means to be relevant or applicable to something.