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

Complicating matters, anything said in federal court — including Mangione's statements Friday admitting to killing Thompson — potentially could be used against him in state court, or vice versa. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Luigi Mangione is due in federal court today after both parties hastily called for an appearance earlier this week without any clear explanation. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

San Jose extradited one of Costa Rica's top drug traffickers and a fellow cartel member to the United States on Thursday to stand trial in federal court, authorities said. — CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to charges of stalking resulting in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson at a federal court hearing in New York City on Friday. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for federal court

• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort
• deport
• disport
• distort
• escort
• exhort

Legal Definition

federal court

noun

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