federal law

[ fed-er-uhl law ]

noun

1. a law or body of laws passed by the central government of the United States or of any other country comprising states, provinces, or other quasi-autonomous units: Compare state law ( def ), provincial law ( def ).

   This act to protect migratory birds is a federal law enforcing an international agreement to which the United States is a party.

   She is an expert on federal law.

Example Sentences

They would not, for example, supersede federal law regarding the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment.

From The Daily Beast

Both state and federal law required that the disputed ballots be counted, which gave the victory to Wilson Baker.

From The Daily Beast

The other would forbid more stringent background checks than those required by federal law.

From The Daily Beast

But because they were dating partners who never married or lived together, federal law did nothing to keep guns out of his hands.

From The Daily Beast

The Newport News, Virginia, school added, “Federal law prohibits us from reporting on university disciplinary actions.”

From The Daily Beast

Many of the northern states denied on this occasion the right of a state to judge a federal law.

From Project Gutenberg

They affirmed, on the contrary, the belief that only the federal courts can decide the constitutionality of a federal law.

From Project Gutenberg

The first response to the new Federal law by the railroads was entirely favorable.

From Project Gutenberg

These recent changes introduced in the Federal law brought two others into special prominence.

From Project Gutenberg

And the great body of independent carriers on our inland waters were still left beyond the reach of the Federal law.

From Project Gutenberg