As used in this title:
section 1 of Title 5The term “department” means one of the executive departments enumerated in , unless the context shows that such term was intended to describe the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of the government.
The term “agency” includes any department, independent establishment, commission, administration, authority, board or bureau of the United States or any corporation in which the United States has a proprietary interest, unless the context shows that such term was intended to be used in a more limited sense.
June 25, 1948, ch. 64562 Stat. 685(, .)
Historical and Revision Notes
United States v. GermaineThis section defines the terms “department” and “agency” of the United States. The word “department” appears 57 times in title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., and the word “agency” 14 times. It was considered necessary to define clearly these words in order to avoid possible litigation as to the scope or coverage of a given section containing such words. (See , 1878, 99 U.S. 508, 25 L. Ed. 482, for definition of words “department” or “head of department.”)
The phrase “corporation in which the United States has a proprietary interest” is intended to include those governmental corporations in which stock is not actually issued, as well as those in which stock is owned by the United States. It excludes those corporations in which the interest of the Government is custodial or incidental.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 1 of Title 5Pub. L. 89–554, § 880 Stat. 632section 101 of Title 5, referred to in text, was repealed by , , , and reenacted by the first section thereof as , Government Organization and Employees.