federalist
Americannoun
-
an advocate of federalism.
-
(initial capital letter) a member or supporter of the Federalist party.
adjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
- hyperfederalist noun
Etymology
Origin of federalist
Explanation
A federalist is someone who believes in the type of political system in which states or territories share control with a central government. Alexander Hamilton, one of the founders of the United States, was a federalist. Canada and the U.S. both have federalist systems of government — individual states or provinces govern themselves, but they also unite with a federal government that has authority over the entire country. When it has a lower-case f, the word federalist describes someone who advocates this kind of system, while an upper-case F denotes a member of a specific political party.
Vocabulary lists containing federalist
U.S. Government - Middle School and High School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Early Republic, Lessons 1–3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
U.S. Government - Middle School and High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
In America's federalist system, however, there is another institutional check on his power and that's the states.
From Salon • Nov. 13, 2024
And finally, the Constitution’s respect for states as separate sovereigns is a foundational principle in our federalist government, and this deeply rooted commitment supports a broad understanding of the ordinary bounds of judicial review.
From Slate • Sep. 19, 2024
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
