Pursuant
adjective
Definition
1. (adjective) In accordance with or as required by a law, rule, or agreement — almost always used in the phrase "pursuant to".
2. (adjective) In consequence of or following from a decision, request, or earlier discussion — used to link an action to what prompted it.
2. (adjective) In consequence of or following from a decision, request, or earlier discussion — used to link an action to what prompted it.
Context Alive
You're reading through a lease agreement before signing it and you come across a line saying the landlord may enter the property pursuant to the terms outlined in section 4. You flip to section 4. It says 24-hour notice is required except in emergencies. You go back and sign.
Meanings
2 meanings 1 In Accordance With a Law or Rule (Adjective) Common ▼
This meaning is about an action being taken because a law, regulation, or agreement requires or permits it. Imagine a government agency sending a letter explaining that your data has been shared with a third party pursuant to a court order — meaning the law compelled them to do it and the court's instruction is the authority behind the action. This is describing a formal link between what was done and the legal or official basis for doing it. You might read "the officer acted pursuant to section 12 of the Act" in a legal report to show the law authorised the action, or someone could write "pursuant to the terms of the agreement, payment is due within 30 days" in a contract to state what the rules require. Or think about a dismissal letter that says the employee is being let go pursuant to the company's misconduct policy — it's citing the rule that makes the action legitimate. The word establishes a formal legal or procedural basis.
✏️ Pursuant to is essentially the only way this word is used — you will almost never see "pursuant" standing alone. It functions like a formal version of "under" or "in accordance with": "pursuant to the regulations" = "under the regulations." It appears in contracts, legal documents, government notices, and official correspondence. In everyday speech, nobody uses it — say "according to" or "under" instead.
2 Following From a Decision or Request (Adjective) Common ▼
This meaning is about an action taken as a direct result of something that happened before — a request, a meeting, a decision, or an instruction. Imagine a business email that opens with "Pursuant to our conversation yesterday, I am attaching the revised proposal" — the writer is saying the attachment exists because of the prior discussion. This is describing a formal cause-and-effect link between two events. You might see "pursuant to your request, we have updated your account details" in a formal customer service letter, or someone could write "pursuant to the board's decision last Tuesday, all departments will submit revised budgets" to explain why action is being taken. Or think about a legal settlement where one party must do something pursuant to the judge's ruling — the ruling came first and the action follows from it. The word makes the chain of cause and consequence explicit and official.
✏️ In business writing, pursuant to our discussion / conversation / meeting is a set phrase used to connect a follow-up action to a prior exchange. It's slightly old-fashioned even in formal writing — many style guides now prefer "following our discussion" or "as agreed in our meeting" — but you'll still encounter it regularly in legal and corporate documents.
Common Patterns
Basic Structures
pursuant to + noun (law / agreement / order) → the core pattern — linking an action to its legal or formal basis
The property was seized pursuant to a court order.
pursuant to section / clause + number → used in legal documents to cite the specific part of a law or contract being followed
Pursuant to clause 7 of the contract, either party may terminate with 30 days' notice.
pursuant to our / your + noun (discussion / request / agreement) → used in business correspondence to link a current action to a prior exchange
Pursuant to your request, please find the updated figures attached.
Common Structures
act / proceed pursuant to → to take action on the basis of a rule or prior decision
The agency acted pursuant to its statutory authority to investigate the complaint.
pursuant to applicable law / regulation → a standard legal phrase meaning in line with whatever laws apply to the situation
All data will be handled pursuant to applicable data protection regulations.
pursuant to the terms of → used to specify that an action follows the conditions set in an agreement
Pursuant to the terms of the settlement, the company will pay damages within 90 days.
Collocations
10 collocationspursuant to the law
in accordance with what the law requires or permits
pursuant to a court order
as directed or required by a judge's official ruling
pursuant to the terms
in line with the conditions set out in a contract or agreement
pursuant to our discussion
following and as a result of a prior conversation
pursuant to your request
in response to and as a result of something you asked for
pursuant to section / clause
in accordance with a specific numbered part of a law or contract
pursuant to applicable law
in line with whatever legal rules apply to the situation
pursuant to an agreement
in accordance with a deal or arrangement that was previously made
pursuant to a decision
following and as a result of an official decision made by an authority
act pursuant to
to take action that is authorised or required by a rule or ruling
Example Sentences
10 examples
1
The documents were released to the public pursuant to a freedom of information request.
The records were made available after an official request under freedom of information rules.
2
Pursuant to clause 9 of the agreement, either party may cancel with 60 days' written notice.
Under the terms set out in clause 9, both sides have the right to end the contract by giving 60 days' notice in writing.
3
Pursuant to your request, I have attached the revised budget for your review.
As you asked, I've included the updated budget figures for you to look over.
4
The suspect's phone was seized pursuant to a warrant issued by the court.
Police took the suspect's phone after a judge officially authorised the seizure.
5
Pursuant to our conversation last week, I am writing to confirm the arrangements.
Following our discussion last week, I wanted to put the details we agreed on in writing.
6
All personal data must be stored pursuant to applicable data protection legislation.
Personal information must be kept in a way that complies with data protection laws.
7
Pursuant to the board's decision, all non-essential travel has been suspended until further notice.
Following the board's ruling, no unnecessary travel will be approved for now.
8
The fine was issued pursuant to section 14 of the Environmental Protection Act.
The penalty was handed out under the authority granted by section 14 of the Environmental Protection Act.
9
The contractor will begin work on Monday pursuant to the signed agreement.
Work is set to start on Monday in line with what both parties agreed and signed.
10
Pursuant to the settlement, the company agreed to pay compensation to all affected customers.
As part of the legal settlement, the company committed to compensating every customer who was affected.
Synonyms & Antonyms
6 items
Synonymsin accordance with
the most direct everyday equivalent — same meaning, used in all formal contexts
under
shorter and more common — "under the law" = "pursuant to the law"
following
used for the second meaning — "following our discussion" is a natural substitute
Antonymscontrary to
doing something against or in violation of a rule or agreement — the opposite direction
in breach of
acting in a way that breaks the terms of a law or contract
regardless of
ignoring or not following a rule or agreement — no formal basis for the action