Definition of the word executive order

The term "executive order" refers to an official document issued by the President of the United States, which carries the force of law without prior approval from Congress. It is called an "executive order" because it is executed, or carried out, by the executive branch of government, specifically the President's Cabinet or other subordinate officers. The first known use of the term "executive order" was in a 1911 document signed by President William Howard Taft, but the practice of using executive orders to bypass Congress dates back to the administration of President Andrew Jackson in the 1830s. The exact scope and authority granted by an executive order depends on the specific circumstances and legal context in which it is issued, but in general, such orders can impact a wide range of policy areas, ranging from foreign relations and national defense to environmental protection, health care, and civil rights.