federal

C1 · Advanced Law Academic · Formal

adj. describing a system where several states join together but keep some of their own laws.

adj. relating to a system of government in which several states form a unity but remain independent in internal affairs.

“The country has a federal system where each state has its own governor.”

“The debate centered on whether a federal structure could sufficiently protect the rights of ethnic minorities within the autonomous regions.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Law American English · Informal

n. an agent or official who works for the central government, especially in law enforcement.

n. a federal agent or law enforcement official belonging to a national bureau.

“In the movie, the bank robbers were chased by the federals.”

“The suspect realized he was being watched not by local police, but by the federals, which meant the investigation was much larger than he thought.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun American English · Archaic

n. a soldier who fought for the North (the Union) during the American Civil War.

n. a supporter of the Union or a soldier in the Union army during the American Civil War.

“The old diary was written by a federal who fought at the Battle of Gettysburg.”

“Historical accounts from the 1860s often refer to the movement of the federals across the southern border states during the winter campaign.”