What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
federation
Example
The United States is a federation of 50 states. [federation: noun]
Example
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies works to provide humanitarian aid around the world. [federation: noun]
Example
The Australian Constitution established a federal system of government in which power is shared between the national government and the six states. [federal: adjective]
union
Example
The labor union negotiated a new contract with the company. [union: noun]
Example
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was a federal socialist state that existed from 1922 to 1991. [union: noun]
Example
The marriage created a union between two families. [union: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Union is more commonly used than federation in everyday language. Union is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while federation is less common and often used in formal or official contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between federation and union?
While federation is typically associated with a formal or official tone, union can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be more versatile in its usage.
