fed‧e‧ral W1 AC /ˈfedərəl/ adjective
[Word Family: noun: federalism; adjective: federal]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: foedus 'formal agreement or joining together']

1. a federal country or system of government consists of a group of states which control their own affairs, but which are also controlled by a single national government which makes decisions on foreign affairs, defence etc:
Switzerland is a federal republic.

2. relating to the central government of a country such as the US, rather than the government of one of its states:
federal law
federal taxes

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲