state law: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Legal, Academic, Political
Quick answer
What does “state law” mean?
A law enacted by and applicable within a specific state or province within a federal system, subordinate to federal/national law.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A law enacted by and applicable within a specific state or province within a federal system, subordinate to federal/national law.
The body of statutory and common law governing matters within a state's jurisdiction, distinct from federal law; also refers to the legal principle that a sovereign state has authority over its own territory and people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'state law' is rarely used as the UK is not a federation of sovereign states. The equivalent concept might be 'devolved law' (e.g., Scots law) or 'national law' within a unitary state context. In the US, it is a fundamental legal term.
Connotations
US: Neutral, technical, describing a core component of the federal system. UK/International: Often refers to the internal law of a foreign, typically federal, country (e.g., US state law, Australian state law).
Frequency
Very high frequency in US legal/political discourse; low frequency in UK domestic discourse, higher in UK discourse about foreign legal systems.
Grammar
How to Use “state law” in a Sentence
[Federal law/regulation] preempts [state law].[This activity] is governed by [state law].[The court] will apply the [state law] of [California].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “state law” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The issue has not yet been state-lawed in this jurisdiction.
- Parliament chose not to state-law the matter, leaving it to local councils.
American English
- The legislature is expected to state-law the new privacy standards next session.
adverb
British English
- The power was delegated state-lawly to the regions.
- The regulation applies state-lawly, not federally.
American English
- The statute is enforced state-lawly, resulting in fifty different approaches.
adjective
British English
- The state-law provisions were found to be ultra vires.
- They engaged in a state-law analysis of the devolved administrations.
American English
- The attorney specializes in state-law matters.
- We need a state-law compliance review for all 50 states.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company's licensing requirements vary as they are dictated by state law.
Academic
The study examines the divergence in environmental regulations across different state laws.
Everyday
You'll need to check your state law to see if fireworks are legal here.
Technical
The doctrine of preemption determines when federal regulations supersede conflicting state law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “state law”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “state law”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “state law”
- Using 'state law' to refer to the law of a sovereign country (use 'national law').
- Confusing 'state law' with 'common law' (a type of legal system).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'State law' refers to the origin (a state government). 'Common law' is a type of legal system based on judicial precedent, which can be part of a state's law (like in most US states except Louisiana).
Yes. If a state law conflicts with the US Constitution, it is deemed unconstitutional and unenforceable under the Supremacy Clause (Article VI).
Under the doctrine of preemption, valid federal law generally supersedes (preempts) conflicting state law. Federal law is the 'supreme Law of the Land'.
Yes, other federal countries have similar concepts, e.g., 'Landesrecht' in Germany and Austria, 'provincial law' in Canada, and 'state law' in Australia, India, and Brazil.
A law enacted by and applicable within a specific state or province within a federal system, subordinate to federal/national law.
State law is usually formal, legal, academic, political in register.
State law: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsteɪt ˌlɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsteɪt ˌlɔː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A patchwork of state laws”
- “It's a matter of state law.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the United STATES - each 'state' makes its own 'law' on certain matters.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW IS A FABRIC (a patchwork of state laws), LAW IS A BOUNDARY (state law defines the limits of local authority).
Practice
Quiz
In a federal system like the USA, 'state law' primarily refers to law that: