# § 1. Words denoting number, gender, and so forth
In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, unless the context indicates otherwise—
words importing the singular include and apply to several persons, parties, or things;
words importing the plural include the singular;
words importing the masculine gender include the feminine as well;
words used in the present tense include the future as well as the present;
the words “insane” and “insane person” shall include every idiot, insane person, and person non compos mentis;
the words “person” and “whoever” include corporations, companies, associations, firms, partnerships, societies, and joint stock companies, as well as individuals;
“officer” includes any person authorized by law to perform the duties of the office;
“signature” or “subscription” includes a mark when the person making the same intended it as such;
“oath” includes affirmation, and “sworn” includes affirmed;
“writing” includes printing and typewriting and reproductions of visual symbols by photographing, multigraphing, mimeographing, manifolding, or otherwise.
---
**Source Credit**: (July 30, 1947, ch. 388, 61 Stat. 633; June 25, 1948, ch. 645, § 6, 62 Stat. 859; Oct. 31, 1951, ch. 655, § 1, 65 Stat. 710; Pub. L. 112–231, § 2(a), Dec. 28, 2012, 126 Stat. 1619.)
## Editorial Notes
### Amendments
2012—, in fifth clause after opening clause, struck out “and ‘lunatic’ ” before “shall include every” and “lunatic,” before “insane person,”.
1951—Act , substituted, in fourth clause after opening clause, “used” for “use”.
1948—Act , included “tense”, “whoever”, “signature”, “subscription”, “writing” and a broader definition of “person”.
## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
### Short Title of 2022 Amendment
> “This Act [enacting
>
> , Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, amending
>
> , repealing
>
> , and enacting provisions set out as notes under
>
> ] may be cited as the ‘Respect for Marriage Act’.”
, , , provided that:
### Short Title of 2012 Amendment
> “This Act [amending this section and sections 92a, 215, and 215a of Title 12, Banks and Banking] may be cited as the ‘21st Century Language Act of 2012’.”
, , , provided that:
### Short Title of 2002 Amendment
> “This Act [enacting
>
> ] may be cited as the ‘Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002’.”
, , , provided that:
### Short Title of 1996 Amendment
> “This Act [enacting
>
> and
>
> , Judiciary and Judicial Procedure] may be cited as the ‘Defense of Marriage Act’.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 119–75
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 119–74
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 119–60
> **“(1)** In divisions A through D, the term ‘this Act’ refers to divisions A through D.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 119–37
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 119–4
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 118–159
> **“(1)** In divisions A through D, the term ‘this Act’ refers to divisions A through D.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 118–158
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 118–83
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 118–47
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 118–42
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 117–328
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 117–229
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Further Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2023, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 117–103
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 117–58
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 117–43
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 116–260
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in titles I through VII [of div. K of
>
> , see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of such titles.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 116–159
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 116–136
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 116–127
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Families First Coronavirus Response Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 116–94
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [div. F of
>
> , see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.”
, , , provided that:
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [div. H of
>
> , see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 116–93
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 116–6
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 115–245
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 115–244
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 115–141
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 115–56
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 115–31
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 114–113
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 114–94
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 113–235
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 113–76
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 113–67
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 113–6
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in division A, B, C, D, or E of this Act [Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 112–74
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 112–55
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 112–10
> “Any reference to ‘this Act’ in this division [Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2011, see Tables for classification] shall apply solely to this division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 111–118
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 111–117
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 111–8
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 111–5
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 110–329
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ or ‘this joint resolution’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 110–161
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 110–116
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referencing only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 109–289
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2007, see Tables for classification] shall be referring only to the provisions of this division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 109–148
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in either division A [Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006, see Tables for classification] or division B [Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza, 2006, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 109–115
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 108–447
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 108–199
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### References in Pub. L. 108–7
> “Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this joint resolution [Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
### Continental United States
> “Whenever the phrase ‘continental United States’ is used in any law of the United States enacted after the date of enactment of this Act [
>
> ], it shall mean the 49 States on the North American Continent and the District of Columbia, unless otherwise expressly provided.”
, , , provided that: