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.
Randall will be transported to Sacramento County once his federal case concludes. Richard Ramos, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026 His lawyers are also asking the judge to eliminate the same items from his federal case. Julia Bonavita , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026 Randall will be extradited to Sacramento County once his federal case in Texas concludes, Elk Grove police said, where he will be booked into Sacramento County Main Jail on two counts of homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, and felon in possession of a firearm. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026 Defense attorneys are also trying to eliminate those items from the federal case, which could result in a possible death sentence if Mangione is convicted. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 12 Jan. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Federal case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federal%20case. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!