Legal Definitions - U.S.

U.S. is an abbreviation that primarily stands for the United States. Depending on the context, it can refer to the country itself or, in a legal setting, to a specific publication of court decisions.

It has two primary meanings:

• 1. United States (the country)

  This is the most common usage, referring to the sovereign nation located primarily in North America, comprising 50 states, a federal district, and several territories. When used in this sense, "U.S." can refer to the nation as a whole, its government, or its institutions.

  • Example 1: "Many international students choose to pursue higher education in the U.S. due to the reputation of its universities."

    This example uses "U.S." to refer to the country as a destination for education, highlighting its national identity.

  • Example 2: "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently issued new regulations concerning vehicle emissions."

    Here, "U.S." modifies a federal government agency, indicating its national jurisdiction and authority within the country.

• 2. United States Reports (the official Supreme Court case reporter)

  In a legal context, particularly when citing court cases, "U.S." can also refer to the United States Reports. This is the official publication that contains the opinions, orders, judgments, and proceedings of the Supreme Court of the United States. Lawyers and judges use it to reference specific Supreme Court decisions.

  • Example 3: "A legal brief might cite a landmark decision as 'Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966),' indicating where the case can be found."

    This example demonstrates "U.S." as part of a standard legal citation. It tells a reader that the full text of the Miranda v. Arizona case can be found in volume 384 of the United States Reports, starting on page 436, and that the decision was issued in 1966.