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

The deal was crafted behind closed doors between the utility company and several groups representing business interests, including a federation of retail companies, industrial corporations and Walmart. —Emily L. Mahoney, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026

Those federations will decide how to distribute them to their most loyal fans who attended previous games. —Graham Dunbar, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026

Notably, the Qatar soccer federation (QFA) has postponed all tournaments and matches until further notice. —Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026

In the ensuing days and weeks, at least 37 international sports federations—the bodies who administer rules and regulations for elite-level skiing, track and field, figure skating and other sports—issued similar statements. —Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 3 Mar. 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