federal
pertaining to or of the nature of a union of states under a central government distinct from the individual governments of the separate states, as in federal government; federal system.
of, relating to, or noting such a central government: federal offices.
(initial capital letter)U.S. History.
of or relating to the Federalists or to the Federalist party.
supporting the principles of the Federalist party.
(in the Civil War) pertaining to or supporting the Union government.
relating to or adhering to the support of the Constitution.
(initial capital letter) pertaining to or designating the styles of the decorative arts and architecture current in the U.S. from about 1780 to about 1830.
of or relating to a compact or a league, especially a league between nations or states.
an advocate of federation or federalism.
(initial capital letter)U.S. History.
a Federalist.
an adherent of the Union government during the Civil War; Unionist.
a soldier in the Federal army.
Origin of federal
1word story For federal
The earliest use of federal had to do with a treaty or covenant, especially a covenant between God and an individual. The meaning “relating to a union of states under a central government” appeared in 1703, probably arising from the contextual meaning of the term federal union —in other words, a union based on a treaty. Soon after American independence, federal was used to refer specifically to the national government of the United States.
Other words from federal
- fed·er·al·ly, adverb
- fed·er·al·ness, noun
- non·fed·er·al, adjective
- qua·si-fed·er·al, adjective
- qua·si-fed·er·al·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with federal
- federal , national
Words Nearby federal
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use federal in a sentence
Several public agencies came together in 2018 to sue the federal government over its inaction.
The federal government already uses its own vaccine supplies for some employees, such as members of Congress and the military, local officials said.
Leaders in Washington region ask FEMA for help in vaccinating federal workers | Julie Zauzmer, Rachel Chason, Rebecca Tan | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostThe other would raise federal subsidies for COBRA, which tends to be expensive.
Affordable Care Act subsidies likely to increase under congressional plan | Amy Goldstein | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostThe agency has been surviving off federal Cares Act money that Congress passed in April, but the $767 million was set to run out early this year.
Metro seeks bond sales to raise $360 million for capital projects | Justin George | February 10, 2021 | Washington PostIn 2004, O’Matz was named to the newspaper’s investigations team, where she helped uncover fraud in the federal government's disaster relief program in Miami.
“This is a federal mandate that is causing some real problems for schools across the country,” Kline told a CBS affiliate in July.
As for the federal authorities, they have made themselves available but the clergy have not requested special protection.
Lalo said he reported the kidnapping to his ICE handlers, which was confirmed by a former federal agent familiar with the case.
An Informant, a Missing American, and Juarez’s House of Death: Inside the 12-Year Cold Case of David Castro | Bill Conroy | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTWhat 15 months in a federal correction institution will be like, according to a man who counsels to-be inmates.
How a ‘Real Housewife’ Survives Prison: ‘I Don’t See [Teresa Giudice] Having a Cakewalk Here’ | Michael Howard | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd that means they also fall under the umbrella of programs most likely to get the axe when state and federal budgets are tight.
Election of representatives from New York to consider the federal constitution held.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellHistory gives them scant notice, and the federal government has failed to reward them as they deserve.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. DunnCustomers will do things in the name of the federal Reserve System which they have never done before.
Readings in Money and Banking | Chester Arthur PhillipsThis seems to be contrary to the spirit and intent of the act, which is primarily to centralize reserves in federal Reserve Banks.
Readings in Money and Banking | Chester Arthur PhillipsIt was never the intention of the federal Reserve Act that member banks should continue the maintenance of these reserve accounts.
Readings in Money and Banking | Chester Arthur Phillips
British Dictionary definitions for federal (1 of 2)
/ (ˈfɛdərəl) /
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
a supporter of federal union or federation
Origin of federal
1Derived forms of federal
- federally, adverb
British Dictionary definitions for Federal (2 of 2)
/ (ˈfɛdərəl) /
of or relating to the Federalist party or Federalism
characteristic of or supporting the Union government during the American Civil War
a supporter of the Union government during the American Civil War
a Federalist
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
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