implied power

[ɪmˈplaɪd ˈpaʊər]
nounpl: implied powers
poder implícito
1. A power or authority that is not explicitly stated or written but is inferred to be necessary to execute an explicitly granted power, particularly in constitutional or legal contexts
The president's implied power to conduct foreign policy derives from the explicit power to make treaties.
O poder implícito do presidente de conduzir política externa é derivado do poder explícito de fazer tratados.
2. In U.S. constitutional law, powers granted to the federal government that are necessary and proper to carry out the enumerated powers listed in the Constitution
Congress has implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause to regulate interstate commerce.
O Congresso tem poderes implícitos sob a Cláusula Necessária e Apropriada para regular o comércio interestadual.
This is a distinctly American legal and constitutional concept that became central to U.S. law through Chief Justice John Marshall's decision in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819). It represents the principle that governments possess powers necessary to fulfill their explicit constitutional duties, even if not directly stated. This concept is primarily studied in Brazilian law schools when analyzing comparative constitutional law and American federalism. The term is not as prominent in traditional Portuguese legal systems, which rely more heavily on civil law traditions with explicit statutory codification.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
inherent powerinferred powerconstructive powerderived power
Antonyms / Antônimos
explicit powerenumerated powerexpressed power

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
poder implícito
Standard legal and constitutional terminology used in Brazilian law and education
Portugal
poder implícito
Same terminology as in Brazil; used in constitutional law discussions
United States Legal English
implied power
Fundamental concept in American constitutional law, particularly relevant to federal government authority

Related Words

Necessary and Proper Clauseenumerated powersdelegated powersconstitutional interpretationseparation of powerschecks and balances

Related Idioms & Phrases

necessary and proper
inherent in the office
implied by the Constitution
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →