Chevron deference

[ shev-ron def-er-uhns ]

noun

, Law.

1. in the United States, the act or practice of accepting a government agency’s interpretation of any ambiguous parts of the legislation governing its mandate and actions, as long as the agency’s interpretation is reasonable.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Chevron deference¹

First recorded in 1985–90; named after the 1984 U.S. Supreme Court case Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.

Example Sentences

The homelessness and ‘Chevron deference’ Supreme Court decisions change law for the worse.

From Los Angeles Times

Federal agencies suffered a blow to their authority in July when the conservative majority of the Supreme Court — which Trump cemented with his appointees — overturned the “Chevron deference.”

From Los Angeles Times

Justices asked the lower court to reconsider it “in light of Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo,” the decision overturning Chevron deference.

From Salon

Until now, he said, Chevron deference “put a small thumb on the scale” in favor of agencies like the EPA.

From Salon

Raimondo, the GOP-appointed conservative majority on the court overturned the long-standing principle of Chevron deference, empowering judges to provide the definitive interpretation of the scope and meaning of congressional directions to agencies.

From Slate