federal

/fˈɛdəɹə‍l/

/ˈfɛdɝəɫ/, /ˈfɛdɹəɫ/

federal

having or relating to a system of government in which the individual states have their own laws concerning internal affairs, however a central government has control over national decisions, foreign affairs, etc.

antonyms : unitary

relating to the central government of a country rather than the local ones

of or relating to the central government of a federation

being of or having to do with the northern United States and those loyal to the Union during the American Civil War

synonyms : Union

Federal

[NOUN]

any federal law-enforcement officer

synonyms : Fed

federal official

a member of the Union Army during the American Civil War

synonyms : Federal soldier

Union soldier

Examples

1. A federal judge just sent the CEO up the river for 45 years for defrauding millions of customers.

2. The research is being done under the auspices of the federal government.

3. The bank claims its hands are tied by federal regulators.

4. The small-town mayor has been punching above her weight recently, going head-to-head with federal lawmakers over the issue of immigration reform.