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 temporary restraining order by Judge Jennifer Rochon in Manhattan federal court also bars the Department of Homeland Security from spending any more of the $20 million allocated for the ad campaign. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026 The summons is answerable to the petty violations court in Brooklyn federal court, the sources said. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 The three news organizations sued in federal court to have their access restored. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026 Right after Kavanaugh’s dismissal became public, a federal court ruled in a different case, brought by Missouri Republican congressional candidates and voters, that, since the new map was used for the primaries, it must be used in November, too. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 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 14 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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