federal
1. [ adjective ] (government) national; especially in reference to the government of the United States as distinct from that of its member units
Examples:

"the Federal Bureau of Investigation" "federal courts" "the federal highway program" "federal property"

Related terms: national
2. [ adjective ] of or relating to the central government of a federation
Examples:

"a federal district is one set aside as the seat of the national government"

Related terms: federal_government
3. [ adjective ] being of or having to do with the northern United States and those loyal to the Union during the Civil War
Synonyms: Union
Examples:

"Union soldiers" "Federal forces" "a Federal infantryman"

Related terms: northern
4. [ adjective ] (government) characterized by or constituting a form of government in which power is divided between one central and several regional authorities
Examples:

"a federal system like that of the United States" "federal governments often evolved out of confederation"

Related terms: unitary government
5. [ noun ] a member of the Union Army during the American Civil War
Synonyms: Federal_soldier Union_soldier
Related terms: Yankee
6. [ noun ] (work,government) any federal law-enforcement officer
Synonyms: federal_official Fed
Related terms: agent
Similar spelling:   federally
  federalize
  federalist
  federalism
  federalise
  Fetterolf