federal court

noun

: a court established by a federal government
especially : one established under the constitution and laws of the U.S.

Examples of federal court in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Two days later, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in federal court in Los Angeles, seeking an order to require the state and the county to set aside ballots cast by people on the list. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026 These tactics are often employed by transnational criminal groups that consist primarily of citizens from Sinaloa state in Mexico, a Homeland Security Investigations special agent said in affidavits filed in federal court last year. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 That left outside organizations and a political candidate to challenge them in federal court. — Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 In July, Beasley entered a not guilty plea in New York federal court. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for federal court

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of federal court was in 1789

Rhymes for federal court

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Browse Nearby Words

federal council
federal court
federal deposit insurance
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Cite this Entry

“Federal court.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federal%20court. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

federal court

noun
: a court established by the federal government and having jurisdiction over questions of federal law
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