Government Glossary

Regulation

Short Definition

A legally binding rule issued by an agency under authority granted by law.

Long Explanation

A regulation is a rule made by an executive agency to implement a statute. Agencies usually publish proposed rules, accept public comments, review evidence, and then issue final rules. Federal regulations are published in the Federal Register and organized in the Code of Federal Regulations.

In practice, Regulation is useful because it helps a visitor connect a word or phrase to presidential action, agency work, public services, rules, forms, or official notices. When you see the term in an official source, ask which office has authority, what decision is being made, which deadline or rule matters, and where the public record can be checked.

Examples

Simple exampleA visitor sees “Regulation” on an official page and uses the term as a clue about which agency, branch, rule, record, or service is involved.

Civic exampleA reader checks the official source, identifies who has authority, and follows related Guide pages when the term connects to a larger public issue.

Common Misconception

A common mistake is assuming Regulation has the force of a final answer in every situation. Agency and executive-branch terms often depend on statutes, regulations, forms, notices, eligibility rules, and official guidance.

Related Terms

AgenciesExecutiveExecutive BranchLaw

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