Legal Definitions: A Research Guide for
April 11June 6, 2024 , 2024
Congressional Staff
Calvin Gibson
This report is designed to introduce congressional staff to examples of legal and nonlegal
This report is designed to introduce congressional staff to examples of legal and nonlegal
Law Librarian
Law Librarian
sources, including statutes, legislation, and dictionaries, for researching legal definitions. It
sources, including statutes, legislation, and dictionaries, for researching legal definitions. It
includes governmental sources, such as the
includes governmental sources, such as the
United States Code ( (
U.S. Code), the ), the
Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), and congressional legislation. Proprietary information sources are also (C.F.R.), and congressional legislation. Proprietary information sources are also
included.
included.
Congressional Research Service
Congressional Research Service
link to page 4 link to page 5 link to page 5 link to page 5 link to page 6 link to page 6
link to page 4 link to page 5 link to page 5 link to page 5 link to page 6 link to page 6
Legal Definitions: A Research Guide for Congressional Staff
Contents
Federal Statutory Definitions .......................................................................................................... 1
Federal Regulatory Definitions ....................................................................................................... 2
Judicial Definitions .......................................................................................................................... 2
Legal Dictionaries ........................................................................................................................... 2
Industry Dictionaries ....................................................................................................................... 3
Contacts
Author Information .......................................................................................................................... 3
Congressional Research Service
Congressional Research Service
Legal Definitions: A Research Guide for Congressional Staff
n addition to carrying their conventional meanings, terms can be defined and expanded upon
n addition to carrying their conventional meanings, terms can be defined and expanded upon
by legislatures, federal agencies, judiciaries, and legal and nonlegal dictionaries. There are by legislatures, federal agencies, judiciaries, and legal and nonlegal dictionaries. There are
I several approaches to finding legal definitions and a variety of sources from which to choose;
I several approaches to finding legal definitions and a variety of sources from which to choose;
however, some sources are more authoritative than others, depending on the nature of research.
however, some sources are more authoritative than others, depending on the nature of research.
Members and congressional staff can consult with attorneys and analysts at Members and congressional staff can consult with attorneys and analysts at
CRSthe Congressional Research Service (CRS) to determine to determine
whether the executive or judicial branches have defined or interpreted particular terms used in whether the executive or judicial branches have defined or interpreted particular terms used in
federal statutes, as well as bills or other legislation. federal statutes, as well as bills or other legislation.
Federal Statutory Definitions
Congressional researchers may be interested in how the U.S. Congress has defined or attempted Congressional researchers may be interested in how the U.S. Congress has defined or attempted
to define terms in the past. Oftentimes, searching statutory definitions in the to define terms in the past. Oftentimes, searching statutory definitions in the
United States Code ((
U.S. Code) in the ) in the
Westlaw and and
LexisNexis legal databases can be an effective method, since a legal databases can be an effective method, since a
researcher can use advanced “terms and connectors” searches that may not be able to be used in researcher can use advanced “terms and connectors” searches that may not be able to be used in
other sources. other sources.
Additionally, openOpen sources include uscode.house.gov for the sources include uscode.house.gov for the
U.S. Code, maintained , maintained
by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel, and Congress.govby the Office of the Law Revision Counsel, and Congress.gov
, maintained by CRS, for congressional legislation and for congressional legislation and
public laws. public laws.
For the purposes of this guide, the following sections use the term “disadvantaged community”
For the purposes of this guide, the following sections use the term “disadvantaged community”
for its examples. for its examples.
United States Code
Sample
Sample
Westlaw or or
LexisNexis search syntax: “disadvantaged community” /7 (defin! or mean! or search syntax: “disadvantaged community” /7 (defin! or mean! or
refer! or includ! or consist!) refer! or includ! or consist!)
Sample uscode.house.gov search syntax: “disadvantaged community” near/7 (defin* or mean* or refer* or includ* or consist*)
Congressional Bill Text
Sample
Sample
Westlaw or or
LexisNexis search syntax: “disadvantaged community” /7 (defin! or mean! or search syntax: “disadvantaged community” /7 (defin! or mean! or
refer! or includ! or consist!) refer! or includ! or consist!)
Sample Congress.gov search syntax: “disadvantaged community” ~7 (defin* or mean* or refer*
Sample Congress.gov search syntax: “disadvantaged community” ~7 (defin* or mean* or refer*
or includ* or consist*) or includ* or consist*)
By performing these advanced searches, results will be retrieved that contain the terms
By performing these advanced searches, results will be retrieved that contain the terms
“disadvantaged community” that are within seven words of one or more of the following search “disadvantaged community” that are within seven words of one or more of the following search
terms. By using the quotation marks connector, the words “disadvantaged” and “community” will terms. By using the quotation marks connector, the words “disadvantaged” and “community” will
be grouped together, be grouped together,
ensuringhelping ensure accuracy. By using the exclamation point or asterisk connector, accuracy. By using the exclamation point or asterisk connector,
depending on the database, results will include word endings (for example, in depending on the database, results will include word endings (for example, in
Westlaw and and
LexisNexis, defin! will return define, defines, defined, definition, etc.). Depending on the word or , defin! will return define, defines, defined, definition, etc.). Depending on the word or
term, the exclamation point or asterisk connector can allow for broader results. For example, by term, the exclamation point or asterisk connector can allow for broader results. For example, by
searching for “disadvantaged communit!,” word endings of “community” will be searching for “disadvantaged communit!,” word endings of “community” will be
included. Usingincluded. It is important to note that using different search techniques may yield different results. different search techniques may yield different results.
Additionally, searchingSearching for synonyms or alternatives to the initial search term(s) may prove for synonyms or alternatives to the initial search term(s) may prove
beneficial, as terms can vary among legislatures and statutes. In this case, a researcher can beneficial, as terms can vary among legislatures and statutes. In this case, a researcher can
substitute “disadvantaged” for “economically distressed,” “underserved,” “poor,” and substitute “disadvantaged” for “economically distressed,” “underserved,” “poor,” and
“depressed.” A researcher can also substitute “community” for “area,” “region,” and “political “depressed.” A researcher can also substitute “community” for “area,” “region,” and “political
subdivision.” By performing these substitutions and other modifications to the search, one may subdivision.” By performing these substitutions and other modifications to the search, one may
improve its comprehensiveness and relevance.improve its comprehensiveness and relevance.
Congressional Research Service
1
Legal Definitions: A Research Guide for Congressional Staff
Once a drafter has identified a suitable definition, it can be useful to cross-reference it with the
Once a drafter has identified a suitable definition, it can be useful to cross-reference it with the
definition found in official federal and state government publications to definition found in official federal and state government publications to
help ensure accuracy and ensure accuracy and
Congressional Research Service
1
Legal Definitions: A Research Guide for Congressional Staff
currency. Additionally, if the definition is to be used in an official publication, citing the most currency. Additionally, if the definition is to be used in an official publication, citing the most
authoritative source possible can be preferred.authoritative source possible can be preferred.
Federal Regulatory Definitions
In some circumstances, Congress has not defined a particular term used in a statute but has In some circumstances, Congress has not defined a particular term used in a statute but has
authorized a federal agency to promulgate rules to interpret or implement that law. Because of authorized a federal agency to promulgate rules to interpret or implement that law. Because of
this, federal regulations may contain pertinent definitions.this, federal regulations may contain pertinent definitions.
Code of Federal Regulations
Sample search syntax: “disadvantaged community” /7 (defin! or mean! or refer! or includ! or
Sample search syntax: “disadvantaged community” /7 (defin! or mean! or refer! or includ! or
consist!) consist!)
Within
Within
Westlaw and and
LexisNexis, the search strategy for C.F.R. remains the same. An open source , the search strategy for C.F.R. remains the same. An open source
of C.F.R. is ecfr.gov, maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration. of C.F.R. is ecfr.gov, maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration.
Judicial Definitions
In some instances, a court may interpret a term used in a statute. In some instances, a court may interpret a term used in a statute.
Words and Phrases. Words and Phrases, compiled by Thomson Reuters and available on , compiled by Thomson Reuters and available on
Westlaw, provides instances where terms have been interpreted by federal and state courts. These , provides instances where terms have been interpreted by federal and state courts. These
definitions are sourced from cases dating back to 1781. definitions are sourced from cases dating back to 1781.
Legal Dictionaries
For more general legal terms, several dictionaries and thesauri are useful. For more general legal terms, several dictionaries and thesauri are useful.
Ballentine’s Law Dictionary. Ballentine’s dates back to 1916 and provides citations to dates back to 1916 and provides citations to
American
Jurisprudence 2d as well as relevant case law. It is available on as well as relevant case law. It is available on
LexisNexis..
Black’s Law Dictionary. Dating to 1891, Dating to 1891,
Black’s Law Dictionary has been the leading source for has been the leading source for
legal definitions, providing citations to legal definitions, providing citations to
Corpus Juris Secundum and relevant statutes. The latest and relevant statutes. The latest
edition of edition of
Black’s (11th ed., 2019) is available on (11th ed., 2019) is available on
Westlaw and in print in the La Follette and in print in the La Follette
Congressional Reading Room; earlier editions are available on Congressional Reading Room; earlier editions are available on
Westlaw. .
Bouvier’s Law Dictionary. Dating to 1837, Dating to 1837,
Bouvier’s Law Dictionary provides historical legal provides historical legal
entries. It is currently referred to as the entries. It is currently referred to as the
Wolters Kluwer Bouvier Law Dictionary and is available and is available
on on
LexisNexis. .
Burton’s Legal Thesaurus. Burton’s contains words used in a variety of legal contexts, including contains words used in a variety of legal contexts, including
within the legal community and in legal communications, as well as translations of foreign terms. within the legal community and in legal communications, as well as translations of foreign terms.
It is available on It is available on
LexisNexis. .
A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage. Edited by Bryan A. Garner, the editor of Edited by Bryan A. Garner, the editor of
Black’s Law
Dictionary, ,
Garner’s provides legal context for each entry, including case citations, as well as provides legal context for each entry, including case citations, as well as
general commentary. A reference copy of the latest edition (3d. ed., 2011) is available in the Law general commentary. A reference copy of the latest edition (3d. ed., 2011) is available in the Law
Library of Congress Reading Room. Library of Congress Reading Room.
Prince’s Bieber Dictionary of Legal Abbreviations. Dating to 1988 and compiled by Mary Miles Dating to 1988 and compiled by Mary Miles
Prince, this dictionary contains abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols found in a variety of Prince, this dictionary contains abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols found in a variety of
Congressional Research Service
2
Legal Definitions: A Research Guide for Congressional Staff
primary and secondary legal sources. The latest edition (7th ed., 2017) is available as a reference primary and secondary legal sources. The latest edition (7th ed., 2017) is available as a reference
copy in the Law Library of Congress Reading Room. copy in the Law Library of Congress Reading Room.
Congressional Research Service
2
Legal Definitions: A Research Guide for Congressional Staff
West’s Tax Law Dictionary. This dictionary contains terms and phrases used in American tax law This dictionary contains terms and phrases used in American tax law
and is available on and is available on
Westlaw. .
Industry Dictionaries
In some cases, researchers may not be able to find a definition created by a statute or regulation In some cases, researchers may not be able to find a definition created by a statute or regulation
or interpreted by the courts. In those instances, definitions used in the industry may provide or interpreted by the courts. In those instances, definitions used in the industry may provide
guidance on the term. Below are a sample of industry dictionaries. Some of them are available guidance on the term. Below are a sample of industry dictionaries. Some of them are available
electronically in the La Follette Congressional Reading Room. electronically in the La Follette Congressional Reading Room.
The Environmental Regulatory Dictionary. This dictionary provides definitions for thousands of This dictionary provides definitions for thousands of
terms in Title 40 of the terms in Title 40 of the
Code of Federal Regulations, with cross-references to other C.F.R. , with cross-references to other C.F.R.
sections. A reference copy is available in the Law Library of Congress Reading Room. sections. A reference copy is available in the Law Library of Congress Reading Room.
The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. This dictionary contains essays, articles, and other This dictionary contains essays, articles, and other
supplementary material from leading economists, as well as thousands of entries. This dictionary supplementary material from leading economists, as well as thousands of entries. This dictionary
is available in print in the La Follette Congressional Reading Room. is available in print in the La Follette Congressional Reading Room.
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. Dating to 1833, Dating to 1833,
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary contains medical contains medical
terms, measurements, acronyms, and abbreviations. terms, measurements, acronyms, and abbreviations.
Stedman’s is available on is available on
Westlaw. .
Warren, Gorham & Lamont (WG&L) Tax Dictionary. WG&L contains more than 4,000 federal contains more than 4,000 federal
taxation terms from IRS rulings, court decisions, and sections from the Internal Revenue Code. It taxation terms from IRS rulings, court decisions, and sections from the Internal Revenue Code. It
is available on is available on
Westlaw. .
Author Information
Calvin Gibson Calvin Gibson
Law Librarian
Law Librarian
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and
under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other
than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in
connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not
subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in
its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or
material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you wish to material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you wish to
copy or otherwise use copyrighted material. copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.
Congressional Research Service
Congressional Research Service
R48024
R48024
· VERSION 3 · NEW5 · UPDATED
3
3