Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to a system of government with divided power: Characterized by or constituting a form of government in which power is divided between one central (national) authority and several regional (state or provincial) authorities.
   • Pertaining to the central government of a federation: Of or relating to the central government of a country organized as a federation, as distinct from the governments of its constituent parts.
   • National, especially U.S.: Concerning the national government of the United States as opposed to state governments.
   • Historical: Union-related: Of or having to do with the northern United States and those loyal to the Union during the American Civil War.

2. Noun:

   • A federal agent: Any federal law-enforcement officer.
   • Historical: A Union soldier: A member of the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The country has a federal system of government, with powers shared between the national and state levels.
  • The federal budget is decided by Congress and the President.
  • During the war, Federal troops occupied the city. (Historical usage, often capitalized)

• Noun:

  • The federals raided the building early this morning. (Informal for federal agents)
  • The monument honors the Federals who fought in the battle. (Historical)

Advanced Usage

• "Federal case": (Informal idiom) To make an unnecessarily big deal out of something.

  • It was just a minor mistake; don't make a federal case out of it.

• "Federal holiday": A public holiday established by the national government.

  • Thanksgiving is a federal holiday in the United States.

Variants and Related Words

• Federally (adverb): In a way that relates to the federal government.

  • The program is federally funded.

• Federalism (noun): The political principle of a federal system of government.

  • The debate centered on the principles of federalism and states' rights.

• Federalist (noun, historical): A supporter of a federal system, or specifically, a supporter of the U.S. Constitution in 1787-88.

  • Alexander Hamilton was a leading Federalist.

Synonyms

• Adjective: National, central, union.
• Noun (agent): Agent, officer, marshal.
• Noun (soldier): Union soldier, Yankee (historical, informal).

Related Phrases

• Federal reserve: The central banking system of the United States.

  • The Federal Reserve sets monetary policy.

• Federal law: Law enacted by the national government.

  • Bank robbery is a violation of federal law.

Related Idioms

• "To go federal": (Informal) To involve or report a matter to federal authorities.
  • If the corruption is widespread, the investigation might go federal.

Adjective

1. characterized by or constituting a form of government in which power is divided between one central and several regional authorities
   • a federal system like that of the United States
   • federal governments often evolved out of confederations
2. being of or having to do with the northern United States and those loyal to the Union during the American Civil War
   • Union soldiers
   • Federal forces
   • a Federal infantryman
3. of or relating to the central government of a federation
   • a federal district is one set aside as the seat of the national government
4. national; especially in reference to the government of the United States as distinct from that of its member units
   • the Federal Bureau of Investigation
   • federal courts
   • the federal highway program
   • federal property

Noun

1. any federal law-enforcement officer
2. a member of the Union Army during the American Civil War