fed·er·al
ˈfe-d(ə-)rəl 
1
a
: of or constituting a form of government in which power is distributed between a central authority and a number of constituent territorial units
b
: of or relating to the central government of a federation as distinguished from the governments of the constituent units
c
: formed by a compact between political units that surrender their individual sovereignty to a central authority but retain limited residuary powers of government
2
often Federal
: of, relating to, or loyal to the federal government or the Union armies of the U.S. in the American Civil War
3
Federal
: being or belonging to a style of architecture and decoration current in the U.S. following the American Revolution
4
Federal
: advocating or friendly to the principle of a federal government with strong centralized powers
especially
: of or relating to the American Federalists
5
archaic
: of or relating to a compact or treaty
1
: a supporter of the U.S. government in the Civil War
especially
: a soldier in the federal armies
2
: fed sense 1
—usually used in plural
The Federals arrested the smugglers.
Examples of federal in a Sentence
Adjective
We pay federal, state, and local taxes.
The ruling was overturned by a federal appeals court.
furniture made in the Federal style
Recent Examples on the Web
Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Federal prosecutors say two others were with him in Pineville.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
The vote, on a proposal that requires a driver’s license or comparable ID to cast a ballot in federal elections, represents the latest attempt by Republicans to divide Democrats on a subject that cuts decidedly in their favor.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
People can qualify for benefits under the federal law if they were granted asylum, admitted as a refugee or are recognized as a victim of human trafficking, for example.
—Alejandro Serrano The Texas Tribune, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for federal
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Adjective
But the document suggests Florida agencies have been assigned more funding than those in any other state through the federal 287(g) program — a controversial initiative that deputizes local officers to carry out limited immigration enforcement duties.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Federal prosecutors say two others were with him in Pineville.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
The vote, on a proposal that requires a driver’s license or comparable ID to cast a ballot in federal elections, represents the latest attempt by Republicans to divide Democrats on a subject that cuts decidedly in their favor.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
People can qualify for benefits under the federal law if they were granted asylum, admitted as a refugee or are recognized as a victim of human trafficking, for example.
—Alejandro Serrano The Texas Tribune, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for federal
Cite this Entry
“Federal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federal. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
federal
1 of 2 adjective
fed·er·al
ˈfed-(ə-)rəl
1
a
: formed by an agreement between political units that surrender supreme authority to a central authority but keep certain powers
b
: of or being a form of government in which power is distributed between a central authority and individual units
2
often capitalized
: of, relating to, or loyal to the U.S. federal government during the American Civil War
Federal
2 of 2 noun
Fed·er·al
ˈfed-(ə-)rəl
1
: a supporter of the government of the U.S. in the American Civil War
especially
: a soldier in the federal armies
2
: a federal agent or officer
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