Meaning & Definition of word "Federalist"

noun:

• 1. An advocate or supporter of federalism, which refers to the principle of a strong centralized government that shares power with regional governments.
  • Example: The federalists argued that a strong national government was necessary for the country's survival.
• 2. A member of the Federalist Party, an early political party in the United States that supported the Constitution and a strong federal government.
  • Example: As a federalist, he believed in the importance of a unified nation under a central authority.
• 3. A person who believes in the distribution of power among various levels of government, particularly in a federal system.
  • Example: Federalists often clash with those who favor a more decentralized government structure.