federal official
32
3.7
- noun
- /ˈfɛdərəl əˈfɪʃəl/
- US
:
agente federal
- On Tuesday, state and federal officials gathered to celebrate the work being done on I-44.
- state and federal officials
- contacting federal officials
- federal officials are considering
Examples
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Animal rescuers wanted to move the mammals back to sea, but federal officials decided not to.
Blog text (24) -
In December 2010, the American Civil Liberties Union wrote to federal officials asking them to ensure that religiously affiliated hospitals provide emergency care.
Academic text (2011) -
After World War II, they received the added support of federal officials.
Academic text (2011) -
- Federal officials are now trying to avoid a disaster.
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I should explain that, as a rule, federal officials were not supposed to make spontaneous comments to the press.
Academic text (1995) -
Marshals went in minutes ago, followed by federal officials.
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But federal officials now concede a peaceful surrender is looking less likely all the time.
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Governors across the region have declared emergencies, and federal officials have issued urgent warnings for people to prepare.
Blog text (22) -
Federal officials are still baffled by the massive blackout that darkened the entire eastern half of the country early this morning.
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Federal officials announced new measures to improve public safety in the city.
Synonyms
165
7.0
A police officer who works for the federal government in the United States and enforces national laws
104
3.5
A person who works for the country's government to enforce laws and investigate crimes
3
8.9
An informal name for a police officer who works for the national government in Spanish-speaking countries
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'federal' specifies the level of government and 'official' denotes a person holding authority, so together they denote an official who works for the federal government. A B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer this sense (the definition's emphasis on law-enforcement is a narrower instantiation but does not make the basic combination unpredictable).
Etymology
Federal official combines federal, meaning the 'central government', and official, meaning a person with a formal job. Think of someone who works for the national office rather than a city or state, so it means a person employed by the federal government, often in law enforcement.