diff --git a/cpp/src/arrow/status.cc b/cpp/src/arrow/status.cc
index 7ad24781a642f..55ce3fb78d257 100644
--- a/cpp/src/arrow/status.cc
+++ b/cpp/src/arrow/status.cc
@@ -146,6 +146,11 @@ const std::string& Status::message() const {
   return ok() ? no_message : state_->msg;
 }
 
+const std::shared_ptr<StatusDetail>& Status::detail() const {
+  static std::shared_ptr<StatusDetail> no_detail = NULLPTR;
+  return state_ ? state_->detail : no_detail;
+}
+
 void Status::Abort() const { Abort(std::string()); }
 
 void Status::Abort(const std::string& message) const {
diff --git a/cpp/src/arrow/status.h b/cpp/src/arrow/status.h
index 419174d83585d..42e8929ce0b4c 100644
--- a/cpp/src/arrow/status.h
+++ b/cpp/src/arrow/status.h
@@ -335,10 +335,7 @@ class ARROW_EXPORT [[nodiscard]] Status : public util::EqualityComparable<Status
   const std::string& message() const;
 
   /// \brief Return the status detail attached to this message.
-  const std::shared_ptr<StatusDetail>& detail() const {
-    static std::shared_ptr<StatusDetail> no_detail = NULLPTR;
-    return state_ ? state_->detail : no_detail;
-  }
+  const std::shared_ptr<StatusDetail>& detail() const;
 
   /// \brief Return a new Status copying the existing status, but
   /// updating with the existing detail.