adjective
- relating to a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units
- relating to the central government of the United States
Examples
- The federal government has authority over interstate commerce.
- Federal taxes are collected by the IRS.
- She works for a federal agency in Washington, D.C.
- The Constitution establishes our federal system of government.
- Federal law takes precedence over state law in many cases.
- The federal budget includes spending on defense and social programs.
- Federal courts handle cases involving constitutional issues.