of or relating to the central government of a federation; a federal district is one set aside as the seat of the national government'

characterized by or constituting a form of government in which power is divided between one central and several regional authorities; a federal system like that of the United States; federal governments often evolved out of confederations'

a member of the Union Army during the American Civil War

[ Syn: federal , federal soldier , union soldier ]

any federal law-enforcement officer

[ Syn: federal , fed , federal official ]

national; especially in reference to the government of the United States as distinct from that of its member units; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; federal courts; the federal highway program; federal property'

being of or having to do with the northern United States and those loyal to the Union during the American Civil War; Union soldiers; Federal forces; a Federal infantryman

[ Syn: union , federal ]