Federal

[fed-er-uh l] /ˈfɛd ər əl/

adjective
1.
pertaining to or of the nature of a union of states under a central government distinct from the individual governments of the separate states, as in federal government; federal system.
2.
of, relating to, or noting such a central government:
federal offices.
3.
(initial capital letter) U.S. History.

4.
(initial capital letter) pertaining to or designating the styles of the decorative arts and architecture current in the U.S. from c1780 to c1830.
5.
of or relating to a compact or a league, especially a league between nations or states.
noun
6.
an advocate of federation or federalism.
7.
(initial capital letter) U.S. History.

/ˈfɛdərəl/
adjective
1.
of or relating to a form of government or a country in which power is divided between one central and several regional governments
2.
of or relating to a treaty between provinces, states, etc, that establishes a political unit in which power is so divided
3.
of or relating to the central government of a federation
4.
of or relating to any union or association of parties or groups that retain some autonomy
5.
(of a university) comprised of relatively independent colleges
noun
6.
a supporter of federal union or federation
/ˈfɛdərəl/
adjective
1.

noun
2.

adj.

1640s, as a theological term, from French fédéral, from Latin foedus (genitive foederis) “covenant, league, treaty, alliance,” related to fides “faith” (see faith).

Meaning “pertaining to a treaty” (1650s) led to political sense of “state formed by agreement among independent states” (1707), from phrases like federal union “union based on a treaty,” popularized by formation of U.S.A. 1776-1787.