federalism

noun

fed·​er·​al·​ism ˈfe-d(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm 

1

a

often Federalism : the distribution of power in an organization (such as a government) between a central authority and the constituent (see constituent entry 2 sense 1) units

Under our system of federalism, states bear the primary responsibility for defining and controlling criminal behavior.

—Wayne R. LaFave & Jerold H. Israel

compare centralism

b

: support or advocacy of this principle

2

Federalism : Federalist principles

Examples of federalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Green contacted Risch, an alum who holds bachelor’s and law degrees from the U of I, to help put a stop to the merger, Risch told the Idaho Legislature’s federalism committee last week. —Kevin Fixler november 19, Idaho Statesman, 19 Nov. 2025

Poverty relief is just one example out of many that demonstrate why a combination of federalism and private initiative can provide higher-quality services that are not affected by federal shutdowns. —Ryan Young, Boston Herald, 18 Nov. 2025

Many cheered the decision as a triumph of constitutional federalism and free-market principle. —MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

Both formal and informal institutions, like our party system and practices of federalism, took shape around this reality. —Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing federalism

• world federalism

Rhymes for federalism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

Legal Definition

federalism

noun

fed·​er·​al·​ism ˈfe-drə-ˌli-zəm, ˈfe-də-rə- 

often capitalized

: distribution of power in a federation between the central authority and the constituent units (as states) involving especially the allocation of significant lawmaking powers to those constituent units compare comity, full faith and credit, states' rights