ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fed

n.
US //ˈfɛd// UK //fˈɛd// fed
  1. 1 government agent (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English Slang

    a slang term for an officer who works for the national government.

    a slang term for a federal government official or law enforcement agent, often used with a suspicious or derogatory tone.

    Example

    The suspects fled the scene when they realized the feds were watching the house.

    Example

    The investigation was eventually handed over to the feds once it became clear the crime crossed state lines.
  2. 2 the police (n.)
    C1 Advanced British English Slang

    a slang term used in some cities, like London, to mean the police.

    a slang term for police officers, particularly common in Multicultural London English.

    Example

    Everyone stopped talking when they saw the feds driving down the street.

    Example

    Local youths often use the term feds to refer to any uniformed police presence in the neighbourhood.
  3. 3 a federation (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Sport

    a short way of saying 'federation', often used in sports like powerlifting.

    a clipping of federation, frequently used in the context of organized sports bodies or political unions.

    Example

    He decided to switch to a different powerlifting fed for his next competition.

    Example

    The athlete was banned from the national fed after failing a routine drug test during the qualifiers.
Idioms1 entry
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Last updated June 19, 2026