'Federal' definitions:

Definition of 'federal'

(from WordNet)
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"; "federal courts"; "the federal highway program"; "federal property"
adjective
Of or relating to the central government of a federation; "a federal district is one set aside as the seat of the national government"
adjective
Being of or having to do with the northern United States and those loyal to the Union during the American Civil War; "Union soldiers"; "Federal forces"; "a Federal infantryman" [syn: Union, Federal]
adjective
Characterized by or constituting a form of government in which power is divided between one central and several regional authorities; "a federal system like that of the United States"; "federal governments often evolved out of confederations" [ant: unitary]
noun
A member of the Union Army during the American Civil War [syn: Federal, Federal soldier, Union soldier]
noun
Any federal law-enforcement officer [syn: Federal, Fed, federal official]

Definition of 'Federal'

From: GCIDE
  • Federal \Fed"er*al\, a. [L. foedus league, treaty, compact; akin to fides faith: cf. F. f['e]d['e]ral. see Faith.]
  • 1. Pertaining to a league or treaty; derived from an agreement or covenant between parties, especially between nations; constituted by a compact between parties, usually governments or their representatives. [1913 Webster]
  • The Romans compelled them, contrary to all federal right, . . . to part with Sardinia. --Grew. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Specifically: (a) Composed of states or districts which retain only a subordinate and limited sovereignty, as the Union of the United States, or the Sonderbund of Switzerland. (b) Consisting or pertaining to such a government; as, the Federal Constitution; a Federal officer. (c) Friendly or devoted to such a government; as, the Federal party. see Federalist. [1913 Webster]
  • Federal Congress. See under Congress. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Federal'

From: GCIDE
  • Federal \Fed"er*al\, n. See Federalist. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Federal'