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• federalist
  federalist

  noun

  an advocate of federalism.
• Federalist
  Federalist

  noun

  a supporter or member of the Federalist party

federalist

American  

[fed-er-uh-list] / ˈfɛd ər ə lɪst /

noun

1. an advocate of federalism.

2. (initial capital letter) a member or supporter of the Federalist party.

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adjective

1. Also federalistic of federalism or the Federalists.

Federalist British  

/ ˈfɛdərəlɪst /

noun

1. a supporter or member of the Federalist party

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adjective

1. characteristic of the Federalists

Other Word Forms

• hyperfederalist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of federalist

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90; federal + -ist

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

federalist Federalist

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

I haven’t gotten my copy yet, but as I understand it, they outline a plan for a federalist, democratic republic with guaranteed rights for both Jews and Arabs, somewhat along the lines of pre-breakup Yugoslavia.

From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2025

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

Taken prisoner during the first federalist adventure, he managed to escape to Curaçao disguised in the garment he detested most in this world: a cassock.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Bush, Phil Gramm, John McCain and John Kasich; and Ron Jacobs, a Washington attorney and Federalist Society member who worked on a super PAC supporting Jon Huntsman in the 2012 GOP presidential primary.

From Salon ● Jun. 17, 2026

In March, the Federalist Society held a day-long conference in Philadelphia to celebrate the “Jurisprudence of Justice Alito.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 2026

The Federalist Society invited attendees to submit questions before the event.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026

Can we follow Alexander Hamilton’s guidance in Federalist No. 1, for “good government” through “reflection and choice,” rather than relying on “accident and force?”

From Salon ● Apr. 24, 2026

Hamilton had not held national office for nine years and the Federalist cause he had championed was well on its way to oblivion.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis