federalist

American  

[fed-er-uh-list] / ˈfɛd ər ə lɪst /

noun

1. an advocate of federalism.

2. (initial capital letter) a member or supporter of the Federalist party.

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adjective

1. Also federalistic of federalism or the Federalists.

Federalist British  

/ ˈfɛdərəlɪst /

noun

1. a supporter or member of the Federalist party

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adjective

1. characteristic of the Federalists

Other Word Forms

• hyperfederalist noun

Etymology

Origin of federalist

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90; federal + -ist

Example Sentences

Perhaps most important, he respected the authority of the states in our federalist system.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

She said she also voted for separation in the first referendum, in 1980, when the federalist camp won with 60 percent support.

From Barron's • Oct. 30, 2025

The resulting system is federalist: The national parties set guidelines, and the state parties structure their contests within those boundaries.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2024

So the new federalist arguments are a set of more political economy-based theoretical arguments in the latter half of the 20th century as the social sciences were getting more sophisticated.

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2022

The federalist fervor, which the exiles had pictured as a powder keg about to explode, had dissolved into a vague electoral illusion.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez