Federal

UK: 'federal', 'Federal': /ˈfɛdərəl/

US: /ˈfɛdərəl/

US: (fed′ər əl)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Federal / ˈfɛdərəl/ adjective

1. characteristic of or supporting the Union government during the American Civil War

noun

1. a supporter of the Union government during the American Civil War

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

fed•er•al /ˈfɛdərəl/   adj. [before a noun]

1. Government of, relating to, or of the nature of a union of states under a central government that is distinct from and above the governments of the separate states:
   the federal government of the U.S.
2. Government of or involving such a central government:
   federal laws.

fed•er•al•ly, adv. See -fed-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

fed•er•al  (fed′ər əl), adj. 

1. Government pertaining to or of the nature of a union of states under a central government distinct from the individual governments of the separate states:
   the federal government of the U.S.
2. Government of, pertaining to, or noting such a central government:
   federal offices.
3. American History (cap.) [U.S. Hist.]
   • of or pertaining to the Federalists or to the Federalist party.
   • supporting the principles of the Federalist party.
   • (in the Civil War) pertaining to or supporting the Union government.
   • relating to or adhering to the support of the Constitution.
4. Architecture, Fine Art (cap.) pertaining to or designating the styles of the decorative arts and architecture current in the U.S. from c1780 to c1830.
5. Government of or pertaining to a compact or a league, esp. a league between nations or states.

n. 

6. Government an advocate of federation or federalism.
7. American History (cap.) [U.S. Hist.]
   • a Federalist.
   • an adherent of the Union government during the Civil War;
     Unionist.
   • a soldier in the Federal army.

• Latin foeder- (stem of foedus) league + -al¹
• earlier foederal 1635–45

fed′er•al•ly, adv. 
fed′er•al•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

federal / ˈfɛdərəl/ adjective

1. of or relating to a form of government or a country in which power is divided between one central and several regional governments
2. of or relating to the central government of a federation

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin foedus league

ˈfederally adverb