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

Under federal law, agencies generally have an opportunity to review and respond before claimants can pursue litigation in court.

From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2026

A ransom note sent electronically falls under the jurisdiction of federal law enforcement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

And there are some arguments that federal law preempts state laws against betting on voting.

From Slate ● Jul. 27, 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

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