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.
The state already had to redraw its congressional map after a federal court ordered the creation of the second-black majority district, which is now at issue before the high court. Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2025 James is scheduled to make an initial appearance in federal court in Virginia on October 24. Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 Seven government agencies have begun the process of laying off over 4,000 workers, prompting multiple unions to file for an injunction to block the terminations in a federal court in Northern California, according to the BBC. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025 Previously, the case was moved from the Los Angeles County Superior Court to a California federal court. Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Federal court.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federal%20court. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Legal Definition

federal court

noun
: a court established by the federal government and having jurisdiction over questions of federal law
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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