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

The pilot reported engine trouble before the crash, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

From Los Angeles Times

Market analysts say the stock market's momentum following the 2024 election could continue, driven by steady economic growth, strong corporate earnings and expectations for further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

From Salon

There were also stints with the National Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the CIA and the White House, where he served as a homeland security specialist under George W. Bush.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the Federal Reserve’s most recent Survey of Consumer Finances in 2022, the median savings account balance for U.S. households was $8,000.

From Salon

The Federal Reserve wants to see inflation, the rate at which prices rise, fall back to about 2%.

From BBC

Related Words

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