Federal

Pronunciation

Alternative forms

• fÅ“deral archaic, fÅ“derall obsolete

Origin

From French fédéral, from Latin stem foeder- of foedus ("covenant, league, treaty, alliance")

Full definition of federal

Adjective

1. Pertaining to a league or treaty; derived from an agreement or covenant between parties, especially between nations.
• GrewThe Romans compelled them, contrary to all federal right, ... to part with Sardinia.
2. Pertaining to the national government level, as opposed to state, provincial, county, city, or town.

Derived terms

• quasifederal

Noun

1. (US) A law-enforcement official of the FBI; short for federal agent.

Synonyms

• fed noun

Anagrams

• Elfreda