federalism

C1 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈfed.ɚ.əl.ɪ.zəm/ UK /ˈfed.ər.əl.ɪ.zəm/ See IPA manual

Freq #138672

Meanings

1

noun
a system of government in which constitutional power is divided between a central authority and constituent regions or states

Under federalism, both the national government and the provinces possess protected powers.
2

noun
the political principle or movement favoring such a division of power

The party embraced federalism as a way to protect regional autonomy.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a system of government in... federal systemshared sovereignty

2 noun · the political principle or... federalist doctrine

Opposites

centralismunitary government

Word family

Derived forms federalistfederalistic

Related forms federal federation confederation devolution

Etymology

Formed from federal + -ism. Federal came through French federal from Latin foedus, 'covenant, treaty, or league.' The word therefore preserves the idea of distinct political communities bound together by an agreement that allocates authority among them.

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# federalism

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈfed.ɚ.əl.ɪ.zəm/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈfed.ər.əl.ɪ.zəm/
**Frequency rank:** 138672

## Meanings
1. a system of government in which constitutional power is divided between a central authority and constituent regions or states
2. the political principle or movement favoring such a division of power

## Examples
- Under federalism, both the national government and the provinces possess protected powers.
- The party embraced federalism as a way to protect regional autonomy.

## Synonyms
- federal system
- shared sovereignty

## Antonyms
- centralism
- unitary government

## Derived Forms
- federalist
- federalistic

## Related Forms
- federal
- federation
- confederation
- devolution

## Etymology
Formed from federal + -ism. Federal came through French federal from Latin foedus, 'covenant, treaty, or league.' The word therefore preserves the idea of distinct political communities bound together by an agreement that allocates authority among them.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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