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

He said that he found several Utah organizations and individuals with funding tied to foreign entities, including China, and that he passed that information on to federal law enforcement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026

A federal judge ultimately ruled that the name change violated federal law and ordered the institution to restore its original name.

From Salon • Jun. 13, 2026

“The Department will not allow schools to violate federal law without consequence.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 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

Langley Air Force Base and Fort Monroe moved forward to integrate the housing and the schools on their bases; as federal outposts, they were bound to comply with federal law.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly