What does "pursuant" mean?

1. (according to a rule) done according to a law, rule, or agreement; you use this with the word 'to'. 2. (consequently) as a result of something else that happened.

How do you use "pursuant"?

Almost always used in the phrase 'pursuant to' followed by a noun phrase representing a rule or document. Rarely used as a standalone adverb in modern English; usually replaced by 'consequently' or 'accordingly'.

pursuant

adj. · adv.

US //pɝˈsuənt// UK //pəsjˈuːənt// pur·suant

1 according to a rule (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

done according to a law, rule, or agreement; you use this with the word 'to'.

acting in accordance with or in conformance to a specific rule or authority; almost exclusively followed by the preposition 'to'.

Example

Pursuant to the new law, all businesses must now recycle their paper waste.

Example

Pursuant to the terms of the contract, the final payment was released only after the architect had certified the completion of the project.

Usage

Almost always used in the phrase 'pursuant to' followed by a noun phrase representing a rule or document.

Teacher's tip

This is a high-register legal term; students should use 'according to' or 'following' in everyday writing and speech.
- contrary
2 consequently (adv.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic Formal

as a result of something else that happened.

in a consequent or following manner; used to show that an action happens as a result of a previous one.

Example

The committee reached a decision, and pursuant, the project began.

Example

The board issued a formal warning and, pursuant, the manager submitted his resignation the following morning.

Usage

Rarely used as a standalone adverb in modern English; usually replaced by 'consequently' or 'accordingly'.
- consequently
- accordingly

Origin

Anglo-Norman pursuant, present participle of pursure. Doublet of pursuivant.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026