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.
Origin of federation
1715–25; < Late Latinfoederātiōn- (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
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.
