federal

fed·er·al

adj \ˈfe-d(ə-)rəl\

Definition of FEDERAL

1

archaic : of or relating to a compact or treaty

2

a : formed by a compact between political units that surrender their individual sovereignty to a central authority but retain limited residuary powers of government b : of or constituting a form of government in which power is distributed between a central authority and a number of constituent territorial units c : of or relating to the central government of a federation as distinguished from the governments of the constituent units

3

capitalized : advocating or friendly to the principle of a federal government with strong centralized powers; especially : of or relating to the American Federalists

4

often capitalized : of, relating to, or loyal to the federal government or the Union armies of the United States in the American Civil War

5

capitalized : being or belonging to a style of architecture and decoration current in the United States following the American Revolution

— fed·er·al·ly \-d(ə-)rə-lē\ adverb

Examples of FEDERAL

1. We pay federal, state, and local taxes.
2. The ruling was overturned by a federal appeals court.
3. furniture made in the Federal style

Origin of FEDERAL

Latin foeder-, foedus compact, league; akin to Latin fidere to trust — more at bide

First Known Use: 1660

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism