Added 8 October 2026
federal
/ˈfɛdəɹəl/ noun
Latin root: foedus Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about federal at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
adjective
-
National; especially in reference to the government of the United States as distinct from that of its member units.
the Federal Bureau of Investigation
-
Of or relating to the central government of a federation.
a federal district is one set aside as the seat of the national government
-
Being of or having to do with the northern United States and those loyal to the Union during the American Civil War.
Union soldiers
Origin
Borrowed from French fédéral, from Latin foedus + French -al.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)