Chevron deference

American  

[shev-ron def-er-uhns] / ˈʃɛv rɒn ˌdɛf ər əns /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of Chevron deference

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

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

From Salon • Aug. 25, 2024

Dahlia Lithwick: We learned this week that the bell tolls, possibly, for Chevron deference.

From Slate • May 6, 2023

The constitutional dispute is not necessarily political, because the Chevron deference applies to agency actions in both Republican and Democratic administrations.

From New York Times • Jun. 19, 2022

Chevron deference - A 1984 Supreme Court ruling, in a case involving the Chevron oil company, says that when laws aren’t crystal clear, federal agencies should be allowed to fill in the details.

From Washington Times • Sep. 3, 2018

Both Chevron deference and the ALJ structure reflect old attempts to strike balances.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 24, 2018