ˌfedəˈrāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: French fédération league, alliance, from Late Latin foederation-, foederatio, from Latin foederatus + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : the act of uniting in a league ; especially : the formation of a single sovereign power by the uniting of separate states, provinces, or colonies so that each retains the management of its own local affairs
2. : something formed by federation: as
a. : a sovereign state formed by the union of several states that have given up certain powers to the central government while retaining for themselves control over local matters — compare confederation 2
b. : a union of societies or organizations
a federation of labor unions
a federation of women's clubs
• fed·er·a·tion·al | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|rāshən ə l, -shnəl adjective