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
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The Early Republic, Lessons 1–3
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U.S. Government - Middle School and High School
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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.
These aren’t abstract legal theories; they are fundamental precepts of our federalist system.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 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
Father Nicanor, consumed by hepatic fever, was replaced by Father Coronel, whom they called “The Pup,” a veteran of the first federalist war.
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.
