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federal

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Federal describes something relating to a form of government where states recognize the power of a central government while still keeping certain state-level governmental powers. (adjective)

An example of federal is the United States government.

See federal in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

of or formed by a compact; specif., designating or of a union of states, groups, etc. in which each member agrees to subordinate its governmental power to that of the central authority in certain specified common affairs
1. designating, of, or having to do with a central authority or government in such a union
2. ☆ designating, of, or having to do with the central government of the U.S.
☆ of or supporting the Federalist Party or its principle of strong centralized government
☆ of or pertaining to the style in architecture and furniture based on classical Roman models that flourished in the U.S. from 1780 into the 1830s
☆ of or supporting the government of the U.S. in the Civil War; Union; pro-Union

noun

☆ a Federalist
☆ a supporter or soldier of the U.S. government in the Civil War
☆ a U.S. federal agent or officer

Related Forms:

federally adverb

See federal in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(fĕdˈər-əl, fĕdˈrəl)

adjective

Of, relating to, or being a form of government in which a union of states recognizes the sovereignty of a central authority while retaining certain residual powers of government.
Of or constituting a form of government in which sovereign power is divided between a central authority and a number of constituent political units.
Of or relating to the central government of a federation as distinct from the governments of its member units.
Favorable to or advocating federation: The senator's federal leanings were well known.
Relating to or formed by a treaty or compact between constituent political units.
Federal
a. Of, relating to, or supporting Federalism or the Federalist Party.
b. Of, relating to, or loyal to the Union cause during the American Civil War.
often Federal Of, relating to, or being the central government of the United States.
Federal Relating to or characteristic of a style of architecture, furniture, and decoration produced in the United States especially in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and characterized by adaptations of classical forms combined with typically American motifs.

noun

Federal
a. A supporter of the Union during the American Civil War, especially a Union soldier.
b. A Federalist.
often Federal A federal agent or official.

Related Forms:

fedˈer·al·ly adverb

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