German word

Föderation

Pronunciation

IPA/fødeʁaˈtsi̯oːn/

Meaning

  • feminine nounfederation

Example

In der Föderation haben die Länder eigene Rechte.

The states in the federation have rights of their own.

Illustration for Föderation (federation)

More examples

Die Föderation regelt die Kompetenzen der Gliedstaaten.

The federation regulates the powers of the constituent states.

Core concept

Several self-governing regions join one country and share a central framework for matters that affect them all.

Common phrases

  • Mitglied der Föderation

    member of the federation

  • in der Föderation

    in the federation

  • eine Föderation bilden

    form a federation

Similar words

Bund: A union of regions or states organized under a common central government.
Bundesstaat: A country whose states have their own powers within a broader federal system.
Konföderation: A loose union of sovereign states that cooperate without giving up their independence.
Bundesrepublik: A republic consisting of several self-governing states with a shared central government.

Definition in German

Föderation bezeichnet ein Staatssystem, in dem die Teilstaaten eigene Kompetenzen behalten, aber zentrale Gesetze und Institutionen für gemeinsame Aufgaben bestehen.

Word origin

The noun derives from Latin foederatio, a forming of alliances, based on foedus, meaning treaty or pact.

Usage tips

  • Föderation usually suggests a tighter political structure than Konföderation, although the distinction depends on context.

Opposites

  • Einheitsstaatunitary statenoun
  • Zentralstaatcentralized statenoun

Related words

  • föderalfederaladjective
  • Föderalismusfederalismnoun
  • föderalisierenfederalizeverb

Word lists with this word