Supremacy Clause Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Supremacy Clause.

Supremacy Clause (n.)

The Supremacy Clause is a featured section within Article VI, paragraph 2 of the United States Constitution. It declares that federal laws and the U.S. Constitution itself are the highest form of law in the U.S. legal system. This means that if there is any conflict between federal and state law, the federal law prevails. The Supremacy Clause is a key aspect of the balance of power within our federal system.