federal
gb/fˈɛdɚəl/ us/fˈɛdɚəl/
B1
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Relating to a national government
About the main government of a country that has smaller states or provinces.
Usage pattern:
[federal] [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'federal' with 'national' in contexts where only governmental structure is meant. 'Federal' specifically refers to a system with shared power between central and regional governments.
Synonyms
national (Often interchangeable, but 'national' can also refer to the whole country culturally or socially, not just its central government.)
Antonyms
state (Refers to the government of an individual state or province, as opposed to the central government.)
Collocations
federal government
|federal law
|federal agency
|federal court
|federal budget
Themes
politics
|law
|government
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The federal government passed new environmental regulations.
- Federal law requires companies to provide accurate financial reports.
- She works for a federal agency in Washington, D.C.
- Federal courts handle cases involving constitutional issues.
- The federal budget was approved by Congress.
Learner examples
- The federal government makes laws for the whole country.
- He is a federal judge.
- This is a federal law.
- She works for the federal police.
- Federal taxes go to the central government.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Employee of national government
Someone who works for the main government of a country that has smaller states or provinces.
Usage pattern:
a [federal]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize 'federal' can be used as a noun in American English, usually in plural form or informally.
Synonyms
civil servant (General term for a government employee; 'federal' specifies the level of government.)
Antonyms
state employee (Works for an individual state instead of the national government.)
Collocations
a federal employee
|hiring federals
|federals and locals
Themes
politics
|employment
|work
|law
Examples
- The federals arrived to assist in the investigation.
- She became a federal after passing the civil service exam.
- Federals are entitled to specific retirement benefits.
Learner examples
- The federals came to help.
- He is a federal in the tax office.
- Many federals work in big cities.
Grammar
Dictionary form
federal
IPA
GB/fˈɛdɚəl/
US/fˈɛdɚəl/
Syllables & stress
fed - er - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fed)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: federal
Noun
- Base: federal
- Plural: federals
Word family
Forms
federals
noun
Core family
Related words
federalist
noun
Negative and opposite forms
nonfederal
adjective
Advanced or less common
federalize
verb
federalization
noun C1
Expressions
federal agency
1/fˈɛdɚəl ˈeɪd͡ʒənsi/
fixed phrase
Central government organization
An organization that is part of the main government's system.
Examples
- She works for a federal agency that monitors food safety.
- The new rules were issued by a federal agency.
federal budget
1/fˈɛdɚəl bˈʌd͡ʒɪt/
fixed phrase
National government's yearly financial plan
The plan for how the main government will spend and get money each year.
Examples
- Congress approved the federal budget for next year.
- Cuts to the federal budget may affect public services.
federal court
1/fˈɛdɚəl kˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
Court of national government
A court that is part of the main government's legal system.
Examples
- The case was moved to a federal court.
- Federal courts handle cases involving national laws.
federal government
1/fˈɛdɚəl ɡˈʌvɚnmənt/
fixed phrase
Central governing authority
The main government of a country that has smaller states or provinces.
Examples
- The federal government announced a new healthcare policy.
- Taxes are collected by the federal government and state governments.
federal law
1/fˈɛdɚəl lˈɔ/
fixed phrase
Law made by central government
A law made by the main government of a country that has smaller states or provinces.
Examples
- Federal law prohibits discrimination based on race or religion.
- This case will be tried under federal law.