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
of, relating to, or noting such a central government.
federal offices.
(initial capital letter)
of or relating to the Federalists or to the Federalist party.
supporting the principles of the Federalist party.
(in the Civil War) pertaining to or supporting the Union government.
relating to or adhering to the support of the Constitution.
(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.
of or relating to a compact or a league, especially a league between nations or states.
an advocate of federation or federalism.
(initial capital letter)
a Federalist.
an adherent of the Union government during the Civil War; Unionist.
a soldier in the Federal army.
of or relating to a form of government or a country in which power is divided between one central and several regional governments
of or relating to a treaty between provinces, states, etc, that establishes a political unit in which power is so divided
of or relating to the central government of a federation
of or relating to any union or association of parties or groups that retain some autonomy
(of a university) comprised of relatively independent colleges
First recorded in 16205–30; earlier foederal, from Latin foeder- (stem of foedus ) “formal agreement, treaty, league” + -al 1
Federal refers to the national government. The voting age is determined by the federal government while the driving age is decided on a state by state basis. Before the Constitution was ratified, the United States was a loose confederation of states, with no real federal government. The Constitution created a stronger federal government but to this day, there is a conflict between those who want power to go to the states and those who support federal control. States don't seem to mind federal subsidies though.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Those with Medicare — the federal health insurance for people age 65 and older — should still plan for hefty healthcare expenses over time.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026
A former US Army soldier has been arrested after igniting a fire in front of a federal building in New York City, says the FBI.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
The New York Times asked a federal judge to quash the subpoenas for the phone records, calling them part of a bad-faith attack on the journalists.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
The university “remains committed to full compliance with federal law” and “welcomes the opportunity to work collaboratively and constructively with the federal government to affirm that commitment.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
The total debt inherited from the states and the federal government in 1790 was $77.1 million.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Federal regulations require banks to keep a broad range of communications, including emails, phone recordings and instant messages, which can be used if necessary for compliance investigations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
Federal Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín said she would decide by next Wednesday whether to issue a temporary restraining order that would pause the blockbuster Hollywood deal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
Federal health officials said the 400 cases “appear to be epidemiologically linked, suggesting that there could be a common source of these infections.”
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026
The Bank of Japan followed a few days later, lifting rates to a 31-year high, but the US Federal Reserve and Bank of England have so far held off.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
Federal law provides that a child-support enforcement officer can garnish up to 65 percent of an individual’s wages for child support.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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.
