definitions

federal

[ fed-er-uh l ]
/ ˈfɛd ər əl /

adjective

noun

an advocate of federation or federalism.
(initial capital letter) U.S. History.
  1. a Federalist.
  2. an adherent of the Union government during the Civil War; Unionist.
  3. a soldier in the Federal army.

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Nearby words

fed. res. bk., fedayee, feddan, fedelini, federacy, federal, federal aviation administration, federal bureau of investigation, federal capital territory, federal case, federal communications commission

Origin of federal

1635–45; earlier foederal < Latin foeder- (stem of foedus) league + -al1

Related forms

Can be confused

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

British Dictionary definitions for federals' (1 of 2)

Federal

/ (ˈfɛdərəl) /

adjective

  1. of or relating to the Federalist party or Federalism
  2. characteristic of or supporting the Union government during the American Civil War

noun

  1. a supporter of the Union government during the American Civil War
  2. a Federalist

British Dictionary definitions for federals' (2 of 2)

federal

/ (ˈfɛdərəl) /

adjective

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

noun

a supporter of federal union or federation

Derived Forms

federally, adverb

Word Origin for federal

C17: from Latin foedus league
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