federal
“federal” means “federal” in Spanish (relating to a central government).
federal
Also: governmental
📝 In Action
La policía federal intervino en el aeropuerto.
B2The federal police intervened at the airport.
Necesitamos una ley federal para regular este asunto en todos los estados.
C1We need a federal law to regulate this issue in all the states.
El gobierno federal ha prometido más ayuda a las provincias.
B2The federal government has promised more aid to the provinces.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: federal
Question 1 of 2
Which phrase correctly uses 'federal'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin word *foedus*, which meant 'treaty,' 'league,' or 'covenant.' This origin highlights the core idea of a federal system: a union formed by agreement between different parties.
First recorded: 18th century (in modern political usage)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'federal' y 'nacional'?
Both refer to the whole country, but 'federal' emphasizes the *structure* of the government—how power is shared between the center and the regions. 'Nacional' is a broader term meaning 'belonging to the nation' without focusing on that specific structure.