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Definition federal in British English

federal adjective

adjective
/ˈfed(ə)rəl/
1

a federal country or system is one in which individual states make their own laws, but a national government is responsible for areas such as defence and foreign policy

Example

The US Constitution created the country's federal system.

Example

the German Federal Republic

Synonyms and related words
1.1

connected with the national government of a country rather than with the government of one of its member states

Example

The cost will be split between state and federal governments.

Example

the federal appeals court

Synonyms and related words
Definition federal in British English