federal case

noun

: big deal
don't make a federal case out of it

Examples of federal case 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.
The judge in Mangione's federal case ruled in January that the backpack evidence can be admitted. Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 16 June 2026 Adam Zimmerman, a professor at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law who is not involved in the litigation, said the federal cases will likely be consolidated and the state cases will likely be moved under one judge, to ensure they are handled efficiently. ABC News, 11 June 2026 The state case is on pause until the federal case concludes. Julia Coin june 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026 In a sentencing memorandum in the federal case, a defense attorney said Rhone was born in Houston to a man who fathered 27 children with at least three wives while working as an explosives expert building railroads. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for federal case

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of federal case was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

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

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