federation

[ fed-uh-rey-shuhn ]
See synonyms for federation on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the act of federating or uniting in a league.

  2. the formation of a political unity, with a central government, by a number of separate states, each of which retains control of its own internal affairs.

  1. a league or confederacy.

  2. a federated body formed by a number of nations, states, societies, unions, etc., each retaining control of its own internal affairs.

Origin of federation

1
1715–25; <Late Latin foederātiōn- (stem of foederātiō) a leaguing. See federate, -ion

Other words from federation

  • in·ter·fed·er·a·tion, noun
  • pro·fed·er·a·tion, adjective
  • re·fed·er·a·tion, noun

Words Nearby federation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use federation in a sentence

  • Mrs. Bassett runs a woman's club in Fraserville and she's one of the lights in the federation.

    A Hoosier Chronicle | Meredith Nicholson
  • The federation's President introduced himself and described the problem briefly.

    The Flaming Mountain | Harold Leland Goodwin
  • The European federation tarries behind Mazzini's eager prophecy, but its coming cannot be delayed for ever.

    The Life of Mazzini | Bolton King
  • The excitement and gabble were worse than the Dean case, or federation, and sickened me, for they were all on the wrong track.

    Over the Sliprails | Henry Lawson
  • Now, however, you are nearly at the stage where you will be invited to join the Galactic federation.

    Pagan Passions | Gordon Randall Garrett

British Dictionary definitions for federation (1 of 2)

federation

/ (ˌfɛdəˈreɪʃən) /


noun
  1. the act of federating

  2. the union of several provinces, states, etc, to form a federal union

  1. a political unit formed in such a way

  2. any league, alliance, or confederacy

  3. a union of several parties, groups, etc

  4. any association or union for common action

British Dictionary definitions for Federation (2 of 2)

Federation

/ (ˌfɛdəˈreɪʃən) /


nounAustralian
  1. the Federation the federation of the Australian colonies in 1901

  2. a style of domestic architecture of that period, characterized by red brick, terracotta roof tiles, sinuous curves, and heavy window frames

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012