Utah Code » Title 68, Chapter 3 — Construction
Utah Code

Utah Code § 68-3-11 (2026)

Rules of construction as to words and phrases

✓ current as of May 2026
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Words and phrases are to be construed according to the context and the approved usage of the language; but technical words and phrases, and such others as have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law, or are defined by statute, are to be construed according to such peculiar and appropriate meaning or definition.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1991–2026 · leading case: Sullivan v. Scoular Grain Co. of Utah, 853 P.2d 877 (Utah 1993).
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Sullivan v. Scoular Grain Co. of Utah, 853 P.2d 877 (Utah 1993). · cites it 4× “Section 68-3-11 of the Utah Code states that "words and phrases .”
Bylsma v. R.C.WilleyHumanTouch, 2017 UT 85 (Utah 2017). · cites it 2× “"); see also Utah Code § 68-3-11 ("Words and phrases are to be construed according to the context and the approved usage of the language; but technical words and phrases, and such others as have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law , or are defined by statute, are…”
GeoMetWatch Corp. v. Utah State Univ. Rsch. Found., 2018 UT 50 (Utah 2018). · cites it 2× “The legislature expressly defined "governmental entity" in the Immunity Act as "the state and its political subdivisions as both are defined in this section.”
Lounsbury v. Capel, 836 P.2d 188 (Utah Ct. App. 1992). · cites it 4× “" Utah Code Ann. § 68-3-11 (1986) (rules of construction as to words and phrases).”
State v. Duncan, 812 P.2d 60 (Utah Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 4× “11 (Utah 1988); see also Utah Code Ann. § 68-3-11 (1990) (words in statutes generally construed by context and approved usage).”
State v. Krueger, 1999 UT App 54 (Utah Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 4× “2d 867, 871 (Utah 1995); see also Utah Code Ann. § 68-3-11 (1996) ("Words and phrases [if] defined by statute[] are to be construed according to such peculiar and appropriate meaning or definition.”
Rueda v. Utah Labor Comm'n, 2017 UT 58 (Utah 2017). · cites it 2× “65 Utah Code § 68-3-11. 66 Supra ¶ 36 (quoting Carling v.”
State v. Souza, 846 P.2d 1313 (Utah Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 2× “” Utah Code Ann. § 68-3-11 (1986). However, where the jury requests the definition of a “term critical to the meaning of a criminal statute,” that requested definition becomes a “point of law.”
Utah State Bar v. Summerhayes & Hayden, Pub. Adjusters, 905 P.2d 867 (Utah 1995). · cites it 2× “Utah Code Ann. § 68-3-11 (1993); Sullivan, 853 P.”
Salt Lake City v. Kunz, 2020 UT App 139 (Utah Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 2× “”); Utah Code Ann. § 68-3-11 (LexisNexis 2017) (“Words and phrases are to be construed according to the context and the approved usage of the language .”
Moreno v. Bd. of Educ. of the Jordan Sch. Dist., 926 P.2d 886 (Utah 1996). · cites it 2× “” Utah Code Ann. § 68-3-11 . “Only when we find ambiguity in the statute’s plain language must we seek guidance from the legislative history and relevant policy determinations.”
RMB Inc. v. Celotto, 2024 UT App 188 (Utah Ct. App. 2024). · cites it 2× “3d 330 (cleaned up); see also Utah Code § 68-3-11 (“Words and phrases are to be construed according to the context and the approved usage of the language .”
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