fed·er·al
ˈfe-d(ə-)rəl
1
a
: of or constituting a form of government in which power is distributed between a central authority and a number of constituent territorial units
b
: of or relating to the central government of a federation as distinguished from the governments of the constituent units
c
: formed by a compact between political units that surrender their individual sovereignty to a central authority but retain limited residuary powers of government
2
often Federal
: of, relating to, or loyal to the federal government or the Union armies of the U.S. in the American Civil War
3
Federal
: being or belonging to a style of architecture and decoration current in the U.S. following the American Revolution
4
Federal
: advocating or friendly to the principle of a federal government with strong centralized powers
especially
: of or relating to the American Federalists
5
archaic
: of or relating to a compact or treaty
1
: a supporter of the U.S. government in the Civil War
especially
: a soldier in the federal armies
2
: fed sense 1
—usually plural
The Federals arrested the smugglers.
Cite this Entry
“Federal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federal. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
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