---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 U.S.C. § 5381"
title: "5"
title_heading: "Government Organization and Employees"
number: "5381"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/5/5381"
units:
  - "Part III — Employees"
  - "Subpart D — Pay and Allowances"
  - "Chapter 53 — Pay Rates and Systems"
  - "Subchapter VIII — Pay for the Senior Executive Service"
---

# §5381. Definitions


For the purpose of this subchapter, “[agency](/usc/5/5351.md?p=1)”, “[Senior Executive Service position](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-2)”, “[career appointee](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-4)”, and “[senior executive](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-3)” have the meanings set forth in [section 3132(a) of this title](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a).


## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 95–454, title IV, § 407(a), Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1171; amended Pub. L. 101–136, title VI, § 625(b), Nov. 3, 1989, 103 Stat. 823.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1989—Pub. L. 101–136 inserted “ ‘career appointee’,” before “and”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective 9 months after Oct. 13, 1978, and congressional review of provisions of sections 401 through 412 of Pub. L. 95–454, see section 415(a)(1), (b) of Pub. L. 95–454, set out as a note under section 3131 of this title.