federalist

[ fed-er-uh-list ]

/ ˈfɛd ər ə lɪst /

noun

an advocate of federalism.

(initial capital letter) U.S. History. a member or supporter of the Federalist party.

adjective

Also fed·er·al·is·tic. of federalism or the Federalists.

Nearby words

federal reserve system, federal savings and loan insurance corporation, federal trade commission, federalese, federalism, federalist, federalist party, federalist, the, federalize, federally, federate

Origin of federalist

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

Related forms

hy·per·fed·er·al·ist, noun

Definition for federalists (2 of 2)

Federalist, The

noun

a series of 85 essays (1787–88) by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, written in support of the Constitution.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for federalists

“We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists” said Thomas Jefferson in his first inaugural.
Didn't Obama Hear Oregon’s Warning Shot on Immigration?|Doug McIntyre|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Again, federalists caused the problem by preventing a plane carrying polling material from taking off.
Polls Close in First Libyan Election in More Than 40 Years|Jamie Dettmer|July 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
At the very least, the (contemporary) federalists would be confused.
Can You Be a Zionist If No One Thinks You Are?|Jay Michaelson|March 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Popular fear of the power of a regular army was then widespread, but after the electoral defeat of the Federalists, it faded.
The Militarization of America|William R. Polk|December 5, 2009|DAILY BEAST

In the early years of the republic, the power of the Supreme Court fueled disputes between Federalists and Republicans.
Is the Supreme Court Unconstitutional?|Jonathan Blitzer|July 14, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Scores of quotations from prominent Federalists expressive of the same views might be adduced.
The Life of John Marshall Volume 4 of 4|Albert J. Beveridge
These resolutions were drawn by Madison who had now come to oppose the strong centralizing policy of the Federalists.
The Spirit of American Government|J. Allen Smith
He had published in his newspaper a somewhat severe attack on the Federalists then in power.
The Trial of Theodore Parker|Theodore Parker
The admirable Judiciary Act, passed by the Federalists in 1801, corrected these defects.
The Life of John Marshall Volume 3 of 4|Albert J. Beveridge
All likelihood was upon the side of the candidate of the Democrat-Republicans, but the Federalists had a fighting chance.
Lewis Rand|Mary Johnston

British Dictionary definitions for federalists

Federalist

/ (ˈfɛdərəlɪst) US history /

noun

a supporter or member of the Federalist party

adjective Also: Federal'istic

characteristic of the Federalists

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

federalist

noun

adjective

RELATED CONTENT

Nearby words

Origin of federalist

Related forms

Definition for federalists (2 of 2)

Federalist, The

noun

Examples from the Web for federalists

British Dictionary definitions for federalists

Federalist

noun

adjective Also: Federal'istic