Title 22, Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-102
§456 Definitions
Title 22 › CHAPTER 9 — FOREIGN WARS, WAR MATERIALS, AND NEUTRALITY › SUBCHAPTER II — NEUTRALITY › § 456
Summary
Defines key words used in this part. United States (geographic): the states, territories, U.S. island possessions, the Canal Zone, and the District of Columbia. Person: individuals and business entities. Vessel: any boat, ship, or aircraft usable on or over water. American vessel: documented or U.S.-registered craft. State: nation or government. Citizen: people and entities owing allegiance to or formed under U.S. law.
Full Legal Text
Title 22, §456
Foreign Relations and Intercourse, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
For the purposes of this subchapter—
(a)The term “United States”, when used in a geographical sense, includes the several States and Territories, the insular possessions of the United States, the Canal Zone, and the District of Columbia.
(b)The term “person” includes a partnership, company, association, or corporation, as well as a natural person.
(c)The term “vessel” means every description of watercraft and aircraft capable of being used as a means of transportation on, under, or over water.
(d)The term “American vessel” means any vessel documented, and any aircraft registered or licensed, under the laws of the United States.
(e)The term “state” shall include nation, government, and country.
(f)The term “citizen” shall include any individual owing allegiance to the United States, a partnership, company, or association composed in whole or in part of citizens of the United States, and any corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States as defined in subsection (a) of this section.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
For definition of Canal Zone, referred to in subsec. (a), see section 3602(b) of this title. Codification Words “(including the Philippine Islands)” omitted from definition of “United States” in subsec. (a) pursuant to the authority of Proc. No. 2695, which granted independence to the Philippines under the provisions of section 1394 of this title, and which is set out as a note under section 1394.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
22 U.S.C. § 456
Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102