federal law

American  

[fed-er-uhl law] / ˈfɛd ər əl ˈlɔ /

noun

1. a law or body of laws passed by the central government of the United States or of any other country comprising states, provinces, or other quasi-autonomous units.

   This act to protect migratory birds is a federal law enforcing an international agreement to which the United States is a party.

   She is an expert on federal law.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

federal law

“Any subpoena issued by the Department of Justice is done so in full compliance with federal law and internal Department policy,” a Justice Department spokesperson said Monday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

Prosecutors said the company planned to shut down but agreed that if it decided to reenter the business it would adopt policies and procedures that would comply with the federal law.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

In their complaint, filed in federal court in Washington state, groups including the Center for Biological Diversity and the Sierra Club argued the government had blatantly violated "common sense, biological science, and federal law."

From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026

And one of their arguments at the time was that the role of the Supreme Court is to enforce federal law; it is not to defy federal law.

From Slate ● Jul. 13, 2026

Today, publishing medical records without permission could violate federal law.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot