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federation

[fed-uh-rey-shuh n]
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noun

the act of federating or uniting in a league.
the formation of a political unity, with a central government, by a number of separate states, each of which retains control of its own internal affairs.
a league or confederacy.
a federated body formed by a number of nations, states, societies, unions, etc., each retaining control of its own internal affairs.

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RELATED WORDS

union, league, association, tribe, alliance, family, combination, pool, coalition, crowd, crew, gang, syndicate, entente, mob, ring, outfit, amalgamation, confederacy, bunch

Origin of federation

1715–25; < Late Latin foederātiōn- (stem of foederātiō) a leaguing. See federate, -ion
Related formsin·ter·fed·er·a·tion, nounpro·fed·er·a·tion, adjectivere·fed·er·a·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for federation

Contemporary Examples of federation

Historical Examples of federation

British Dictionary definitions for federation

federation

noun

the act of federating
the union of several provinces, states, etc, to form a federal union
a political unit formed in such a way
any league, alliance, or confederacy
a union of several parties, groups, etc
any association or union for common action

Federation

noun Australian

the Federation the federation of the Australian colonies in 1901
a style of domestic architecture of that period, characterized by red brick, terracotta roof tiles, sinuous curves, and heavy window frames
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
Word Origin and History for federation
n.

1721, "union by agreement," from French fédération, from Late Latin foederationem (nominative foederatio), noun of action from Latin foederare "league together," from foedus "covenant, league" (genitive foederis); see federal.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper