/fed'euh ray"sheuhn/ , n.
1. the act of federating or uniting in a league.
2. the formation of a political unity, with a central government, by a number of separate states, each of which retains control of its own internal affairs.
3. a league or confederacy.
4. a federated body formed by a number of nations, states, societies, unions, etc., each retaining control of its own internal affairs.
[ 1715-25; foederation- (s. of foederatio ) a leaguing. See FEDERATE, -ION ]