federal

Relating to the national government of a country that also has state or provincial governments.

• The project needs federal funding.
• She works for a federal agency.
• Federal law applies in every state.

Similar words: national

Opposites: state

Common phrases: federal government, federal law, federal court

Based on an agreement that joins separate groups or countries together.

• The states entered a federal compact.
• Their federal union rested on a treaty.
• The historian traced the league’s federal agreements.

Common phrases: federal union, federal compact, federal agreement

Relating to the Christian belief that God’s relationship with people is based on promises and agreements.

• He studies federal theology.
• The essay examines federal headship in Christian teaching.
• Federal theologians discuss the covenants described in the Bible.

Similar words: covenantal

Common phrases: federal theology, federal headship, federal theologian