federal
federal Lexical Profile
federal Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Having or relating to a system of government in which several states form a unity while remaining independent in internal affairs.
"Switzerland and the United States both operate under a federal constitutional republic model."
Relating to or denoting the central government of a federation, as distinguished from the governments of its individual constituent states or provinces.
"The new environmental regulations were enacted at the federal level rather than by individual state legislatures."
• noun
American An official, agent, or supporter of a federal government, or historically, a soldier or supporter of the Union during the American Civil War.
"Historians examined the letters written by Federals stationed along the Potomac River."
• Rhymes for federal
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-17th century from French fédéral or coined directly from Latin foedus (genitive foederis), meaning 'covenant, league, or treaty', which is related to fides ('faith' or 'trust').