federation

noun

fed·​er·​a·​tion ˌfe-də-ˈrā-shən 

1

: an encompassing political or societal entity formed by uniting smaller or more localized entities: such as

a

: a federal government

b

: a union of organizations

2

: the act of creating or becoming a federation

especially : the forming of a federal union

Synonyms of federation

• union
• confederacy
• coalition
• alliance
• league
• confederation

Examples of federation in a Sentence

a federation of labor unions

a federation of women's clubs

the federation of the states

Recent Examples on the Web

Scans confirmed a hamstring strain, and the Egyptian federation said the 34-year-old began a treatment program immediately afterwards. — Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 2 July 2026

In a 2023 survey by World Athletics, a global sports federation, 75% of responding athletes said the impacts of climate change are negatively affecting their health and athletic performance. — Dorany Pineda, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026

Florida’s largest federation of labor unions, the Florida AFL-CIO, has endorsed all of the state’s sitting Democratic members of Congress who are up for reelection — except for Jared Moskowitz. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

In a 2023 survey by World Athletics, a global sports federation, 75% of responding athletes said the impacts of climate change are negatively affecting their health and athletic performance. — ABC News, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for federation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

federation

noun

fed·​er·​a·​tion ˌfed-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: a political body formed by uniting smaller bodies

especially : a federal government

2

: the act of creating or becoming a federation