federal

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Relating to the central government of a country that shares power with states or provinces.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: federal law, federal court. Not usually after a verb.

   Patterns

   • federal government
   • federal law
   • federal court
   • federal agency

   The federal government announced new funding for roads and bridges.

   Federal law requires employers to pay a minimum wage.

   She works for a federal agency in Washington, D.C.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Relating to a system where states unite under one central authority while keeping some powers.

   Grammar: Describes the system itself: a federal system, a federal republic.

   Patterns

   • federal system
   • federal republic
   • federal state

   Germany is a federal republic with sixteen states.

   The country adopted a federal system after independence.

   In a federal state, both national and regional governments can make laws.

Common combinations

federal government

The federal government sets national policies.

federal law

Federal law takes precedence over state law in some areas.

federal court

The case was heard in a federal court.

federal agency

The federal agency oversees food safety.

federal funding

The project relies on federal funding.

Synonyms and how they differ

national

National refers to the whole country, while federal specifically refers to the central government in a system that shares power with states.

central

Central means at the center; federal is more specific to a political system with shared power.

Opposites

Word family

federalism noun

The principle or system of federal government.

federalist noun

A supporter of federalism.

federally adverb

In a way that relates to the federal government.

Commonly confused: federal or feral?

Practice

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