Of a system or protocol, such that it does not keep a persistent state between transactions.
What is stateless?
• Without state or pomp.
• Without a state or nationality; not subject to any state.
• Neither believing in nor supporting the idea of nations.
Why stateless matters
stateless appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
How stateless works in practice
In practice, stateless is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.