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 government also filed an emergency motion Monday in federal court in Los Angeles, seeking an order requiring the state to cooperate and set aside the ballots of voters on the list. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Trump’s post outlining a clear plan for construction complicates a federal court hearing scheduled for Monday in a lawsuit filed by the DC Preservation League and two golfers opposing the construction. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 The president’s proposal to turn the affordable golf facility and surrounding park into an elite golf course arrives in the middle of a federal court battle. — Joe Heim, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026 Policy Policy Your guide to the Supreme Court, federal courts, judicial nominations, and the legal battles shaping American policy. — Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 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 20 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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