fed·er·a·tion 
/ˌfɛdəˈreɪʃən/ noun
plural fed·er·a·tions /ˌfɛdəˈreɪʃən/ noun 1 [count] a : a country formed by separate states that have given certain powers to a central government while keeping control over local matters
b : an organization that is made by loosely joining together smaller organizations
▪ a federation of labor unions ▪ a federation of women's clubs 2 [noncount] : the act of joining together separate organizations or states
▪ the federation of the states
b : an organization that is made by loosely joining together smaller organizations
▪ a federation of labor unions ▪ a federation of women's clubs
▪ the federation of the states
