Definition

Noun: A department or agency within the federal government of the United States. It refers to a specific organizational unit that carries out functions, programs, or services under the authority of the national (federal) government, as opposed to state or local governments.

Usage

This term is used to identify a specific branch or division of the U.S. federal government's executive or administrative structure. It is often used in formal, legal, and political contexts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • She works for a federal office that oversees national parks.
  • The investigation was conducted by a federal office responsible for financial regulations.
  • You must submit the application to the appropriate federal office in Washington, D.C.

Advanced Usage

• "to hold federal office": To occupy a position or job within a federal government department.
  • After the election, she began to hold federal office for the first time.

Variants and Related Words

• Federal agency: A synonym often used interchangeably with "federal office."
• Government agency: A broader term that can include federal, state, or local offices.
• Federal department: Often refers to the major executive departments (e.g., the Department of State), which contain many smaller offices.

Synonyms

• Government department
• Federal bureau
• National agency

Related Phrases

• Federal office building: The physical structure where a federal office is located.
  • The federal office building downtown is closed for renovations.
• Head of a federal office: The person in charge of a specific federal department or agency.
  • The new head of the federal office announced several policy changes.

Noun

1. a department of the federal government of the United States