federal

[ fed-er-uhl ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or of the nature of a union of states under a central government distinct from the individual governments of the separate states, as in federal government federal system
2. of, relating to, or noting such a central government:

   federal offices.

3. (initial capital letter) U.S. History.
   1. of or relating to the Federalists or to the Federalist party.
   2. supporting the principles of the Federalist party.
   3. (in the Civil War) pertaining to or supporting the Union government.
   4. relating to or adhering to the support of the Constitution.
4. (initial capital letter) pertaining to or designating the styles of the decorative arts and architecture current in the U.S. from about 1780 to about 1830.
5. of or relating to a compact or a league, especially a league between nations or states.

noun

1. an advocate of federation or federalism.
2. (initial capital letter) U.S. History.
   1. a Federalist.
   2. an adherent of the Union government during the Civil War; Unionist.
   3. a soldier in the Federal army.

Federal

¹

/ ˈfɛdərəl /

adjective

1. 1. of or relating to the Federalist party or Federalism
   2. characteristic of or supporting the Union government during the American Civil War

noun

1. 1. a supporter of the Union government during the American Civil War
   2. a Federalist

federal

²

/ ˈfɛdərəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a form of government or a country in which power is divided between one central and several regional governments
2. of or relating to a treaty between provinces, states, etc, that establishes a political unit in which power is so divided
3. of or relating to the central government of a federation
4. of or relating to any union or association of parties or groups that retain some autonomy
5. (of a university) comprised of relatively independent colleges

noun

1. a supporter of federal union or federation

Derived Forms

• ˈfederally, adverb

Other Words From

• feder·al·ly adverb
• feder·al·ness noun
• non·feder·al adjective
• quasi-feder·al adjective
• quasi-feder·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of federal¹

First recorded in 16205–30; earlier foederal, from Latin foeder- (stem of foedus ) “formal agreement, treaty, league” + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of federal¹

C17: from Latin foedus league

Example Sentences

He wrote the Project 2025 chapter, "Executive Office of the President," supporting proposals to give the president total power over all federal agencies.

From Salon

It has led to recent attention from state and federal agencies looking to understand the causes, extent and potential solutions to the problem.

From Science Daily

“These cases suggest that a plethora of current federal regulations exceed the authority Congress has granted under the law,” Musk and Ramaswamy write.

From New York Times

Because it’s unclear whether federal courts would stop the global tariffs that Trump has promised this time around, the only sure way to eliminate this risk rests with Congress.

From Los Angeles Times

The issue goes to the heart not only of what students are taught but how federal and state education policies will affect the nation’s politics after one of the most consequential elections in its history.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• civic
• civil
• communal
• governmental
• mutual
• national
• popular
• social
• universal
• urban