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

Yet that same summer, Perry said federal psychedelics legalization was actually “more supported by Republicans” than Democrats.

From Salon

The same day, Mace filed a bill that would expand such bans to federal facilities across the country.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, a federal judge has ruled that the smuggled stone should return to its home country of Brazil.

From Los Angeles Times

Last week, in a national conference on scams targeting older adults, Deborah Royster of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warned that consumers are being wiped out in a flash.

From Los Angeles Times

But not only does that proposal misunderstand the function and role of funding authorization in Congress, the lack of authorization doesn't indicate wasteful expenditures, federal fiscal policy experts told Salon.

From Salon

Related Words

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