as defined under

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as defined under" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a specific definition or explanation provided in a legal, technical, or formal context, often in relation to laws, regulations, or documents. Example: "The term 'employee' shall be understood as defined under Section 2 of the Employment Act."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the policy applies only to lobbying as defined under federal law and does not restrict former officials from providing advice to clients with business or other interactions with the federal government.

The New York Times

Donations or loans can only be accepted from "permissable sources" as defined under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

The Guardian

Asylum, however, as defined under the 1951 Geneva Convention, generally involves protection from political, ethnic or religious persecution or, since 2005, generalized violence.

The New York Times

Eligibility criteria: EFL clubs – a minimum of five 'first-team' players in the starting XI as defined under the competition's existing rules.

The Guardian - Sport

"The assessors strongly feel that this is an invasion of personal privacy as defined under the Freedom of Information Law exceptions," he said.

The New York Times

"A political party must ensure that a donor is permissible as defined under the law, therefore, a party can accept shares, as long as the donor is permissible".

Independent

Marutani opened his arguments by questioning the concept of whiteness as defined under Virginia law, which barred white residents from marrying anyone who had any "trace whatsoever of any blood other than Caucasian".

The New Yorker

At the time, the E.P.A., complying with a Supreme Court ruling, was finishing a document assessing whether carbon dioxide, the main emission linked to global warming, endangered public health or welfare as defined under the Clean Air Act.

The New York Times

But the office said it did not have jurisdiction in the case because the claims against Dr. Leso did not involve the practice of psychology as defined under New York State law.

The New York Times

But the agency said the claims against Dr. Leso did not involve the practice of psychology as defined under New York State law, citing several reasons, including the lack of an established doctor-patient relationship.

The New York Times

Judge Jackson, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton, concluded that the government "failed to establish that any unauthorized acts of violence or aggression committed on the high seas constitutes piracy" as defined under federal law.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as defined under", always ensure you're referencing a specific, well-established definition within the relevant legal, regulatory, or technical context. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "as defined under" without clearly specifying the exact law, regulation, or document that contains the definition. Failing to do so can weaken your statement and leave it open to interpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as defined under" serves as a discourse marker, explicitly signaling that a subsequent term or concept is being clarified by referencing a specific, authoritative source. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is typically used to refer to a specific definition or explanation provided in a legal, technical, or formal context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as defined under" is a versatile phrase used to precisely reference specific definitions within legal, regulatory, or technical documents. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various reputable sources. The analysis indicates that this phrase is most common in news, science, and formal business contexts, underscoring its importance in clear and unambiguous communication. When using "as defined under", remember to reference the exact source of the definition to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "as stipulated by" or "according to" can be used depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as stipulated by

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a specific requirement or condition.

as per

A shorter, more concise way to say "as defined under", suitable for formal contexts.

according to

A general phrase indicating compliance with a rule or standard.

in accordance with

Similar to "according to", but slightly more formal and emphasizes agreement.

pursuant to

A legalistic term indicating action taken under the authority of a law or regulation.

under the terms of

Highlights specific contractual or legal conditions.

subject to

Indicates that something is conditional upon a particular rule or law.

as governed by

Emphasizes the control or regulation exerted by a particular authority or law.

in compliance with

Focuses on the act of adhering to rules or regulations.

under the provisions of

Highlights the specific sections or clauses of a law or agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "as defined under" in a sentence?

Use "as defined under" to refer to a specific definition within a document or law. For instance, "The term 'employee' shall be understood "as defined under" Section 2 of the Employment Act."

What's a formal alternative to "as defined under"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "as stipulated by" or "pursuant to", especially in legal or official contexts.

Is it always necessary to use "as defined under" when referring to a definition?

No, it's not always necessary. If the context makes it clear where the definition comes from, simpler phrases like "according to" or "in accordance with" may suffice.

What's the difference between "as defined under" and "as interpreted by"?

"As defined under" refers to the explicit definition stated in a document, while "as interpreted by" refers to an understanding or explanation of something, which may involve analysis or opinion. One refers to a direct definition, and the other to an explanation of that definition.