federalist

noun

fed·​er·​al·​ist ˈfe-d(ə-)rə-list 

1

: an advocate of federalism: such as

a

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

b

often capitalized : world federalist

2

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

federalist adjective often capitalized

Examples of federalist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Also noteworthy: history has shown that during times of great conflict federalist democracies (like the US) typically have conflicts between the states and the central government over their relative powers. —Ray Dalio, TIME, 25 June 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