confederation

Everyday

1. A group of states, countries, organisations or people who join together for a shared purpose, while keeping much of their own power. tree →
2. (Canada) Confederation: the joining of Canadian provinces into one country in 1867. tree →

In the lessons

In history and civics lessons it appears in the Confederate States (the southern US states that broke away in the Civil War), the Swiss Confederation, and Canadian Confederation in 1867. In sport, football confederations group countries by continent. Phrases: "Canadian Confederation", "Swiss Confederation", "a confederation of".

Examples

• Canada was formed by Confederation in 1867. tree →
• Switzerland's official name is the Swiss Confederation. tree →
• The tribes formed a confederation to defend their land. tree →
• UEFA is the football confederation for Europe. tree →
• The Iroquois Confederation was a union of several nations. tree →

Note

Countable. Related words: "confederacy" and "confederate". In a confederation, the members keep a lot of power, unlike in one strong central state.