fed ‧ e ‧ ral W1 AC /ˈfed ə rəl/ BrE AmE 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