federalist

noun

fed·​er·​al·​ist ˈfe-d(ə-)rə-list 

1

: an advocate of federalism: such as

a

often Federalist : an advocate of a federal union between the American colonies after the Revolution and of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution

b

often Federalist : world federalist

2

Federalist : a member of a major political party in the early years of the U.S. favoring a strong centralized national government

federalist adjective

often Federalist

Examples of federalist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

He was forced into exile in 1830 due to a strife between the federalists and centralists, according to the Texas State Historical Association. —Brayden Garcia july 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2025

Having just defeated England, both sides appreciated the dangers of tyranny, and so federalists showed a willingness to appease anti-federalists’ concerns about encroachments on personal liberties. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025

By mandating federal oversight of corporate ownership, the CTA disrupts the balance of power foundational to the U.S. federalist system. —Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Jefferson, the Secretary of State who had helped James Madison form the Democratic-Republican Party, was a staunch critic of the federalist’s push for a new national banking system. —Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing federalist

• anti-federalist
• world federalist

Kids Definition

federalist

noun

fed·​er·​al·​ist ˈfed-(ə-)rə-ləst 

1

: a supporter of federal government

especially, often capitalized : a supporter of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution

2

capitalized : a member of a major political party in the early years of the U.S. favoring a strong central national government

federalism

-ˌliz-əm

noun often capitalized

federalist adjective often capitalized