What is federal? Pronunciation and usage in English

federal means . Learn how to pronounce and use federal through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of federal

federaladjective

/ˈfɛd(ə)rəl/
Definition & pronunciation of federal

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "federal." It can be tricky! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • FED-er-al

Let's break that down further:

  • FED: Rhymes with "bed" or "red." It's a short, clear “fed” sound.
  • er: Pronounced like the "er" in "her" or "letter."
  • al: Pronounced like “al” in “ball” or “calm.”

Here’s a helpful way to hear it:

Common mistakes to avoid:

  • Don’t say “fee-der-al”: This is a common mistake, as "federal" looks like it should be pronounced that way.
  • Don’t overemphasize the 'a' in "al": Keep it short and clipped.

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word?

Usage and examples with the word federal in English

Let's break down how to use the word "federal" in English. It's a surprisingly nuanced word with several related meanings. Here's a breakdown, with examples:

1. Primarily: Relating to a Federal Government

  • Definition: This is the most common usage. "Federal" describes something connected to or characteristic of a federal system of government – a system where power is divided between a central (federal) government and regional (state/provincial) governments.
  • Examples:
    • "The federal government passed a new law regarding healthcare." (Referring to the national government)
    • "He works for a federal agency, like the FBI." (Referring to a national government agency)
    • "The federal budget allocates funds to various departments."
    • “The federal court system oversees cases involving interstate disputes.”

2. Describing Something National/Universal (Broader Sense)

  • Definition: Sometimes, "federal" is used more broadly to mean something that applies to the whole country, or is of national importance, regardless of whether there's a formal federal system. It implies a wider reach than a local or regional issue.
  • Examples:
    • "The federal reserve controls the nation’s money supply." (The Federal Reserve is a central bank, and its influence is nationwide)
    • "He’s a federal agent specializing in environmental crimes." (Regardless of the specific state, he’s investigating crimes with national consequences)
    • "She enlisted in the federal army." (Referring to the regular military, not a state militia.)

3. Related to “Federate” (Less Common)

  • Definition: “Federate” means to unite or combine. "Federal" can sometimes be derived from this root.
  • Example: (Rarely used this way now) “The federal union was formed through the federation of smaller states.”

Key Distinctions & How to Tell the Difference

  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "federal" is almost always determined by the context of the sentence.

  • Government vs. General: If the sentence is talking about laws, agencies, or taxes, it almost always refers to the federal (national) government. If it's referring to something about the entire country's economy, environment, or military, it might be a broader “federal” understanding.

  • Specificity: When possible, it’s often clearer to use "national" instead of "federal" for government discussions, especially if you’re not specifically discussing a country with a federal system (like the United States).

Here's a table to summarize:

Meaning Example
Federal Government "The federal government regulates trade."
National/Universal "The federal highway system connects cities."
(Rare) Federation “The federal union secured its independence.”

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "federal" in specific contexts?
  • Explain how "federal" is used in a particular country (e.g., Canada, Australia, Germany)?
  • Help you identify whether "federal" is the best word to use in a sentence you’re writing?

Synonyms for the word federal

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