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

Campaigns are prohibited under federal law from coordinating with outside groups like super PACs.

From Salon • Jun. 17, 2026

Setting the rules is critical for federal legislation, with many things on the table, from the technicalities of how scholarship organizations operate to whether states can impose regulations more restrictive than the federal law.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

But Saldaña said all three of the union’s ballot proposals tie into an overarching strategy to counter the widening healthcare disparities caused by the federal law.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

"If you are found to possess, breed or trade exotic cockroaches such as dubia cockroaches and Madagascar hissing cockroaches they will be seized and you could face penalties under federal law."

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

She announces that while it’s not yet federal law, many states have put police reform measures on their ballots for the upcoming elections.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold