noun
Common
fed
FEHD
Fed (noun) means a federal law-enforcement agent, especially in the US. Example: “The feds raided the warehouse at dawn.”
noun
1
A federal law-enforcement agent, especially in the US.
"The feds raided the warehouse at dawn."
"Everyone in the neighbourhood knew the feds had been watching the old garage for weeks."
"In the film, two feds knocked on the door and asked to see his papers."
2
(slang) Any police officer.
"Watch out, the feds are parked around the corner."
"Someone shouted that the feds were coming, and the crowd scattered down the side streets."
"He slowed down as soon as he spotted a fed sitting in an unmarked car."
How to use fed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlang for a federal agent, or more loosely, any cop.
When to use it
Informal/slang; "the Fed" capitalized usually refers to the US Federal Reserve instead.
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Word forms
- Plural
- feds
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The _____ raided the warehouse at dawn.
Etymology
A clipped, informal form of "federal."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “fed” mean?
The word “fed” means a federal law-enforcement agent, especially in the US. In plain terms, slang for a federal agent, or more loosely, any cop.
How do you pronounce “fed”?
“Fed” is pronounced FEHD (/ˈfɛd/ in IPA).
How do you use “fed” in a sentence?
Here is “fed” used in a sentence: “The feds raided the warehouse at dawn.”
What part of speech is “fed”?
“Fed” is a noun.
Is “fed” a common word?
“Fed” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fed” have?
“Fed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a federal law-enforcement agent, especially in the US.
What does fed mean in slang?
In informal American usage, a fed is a federal law-enforcement agent, such as someone from the FBI, DEA, or ATF, as opposed to local or state police. The plural, the feds, often refers to federal authorities in general. The term is casual and appears widely in crime dramas, news, and everyday speech.
What is the difference between a fed and a cop?
A cop is any police officer, usually working at city or state level. A fed is specifically a federal agent, employed by a national agency like the FBI. Feds typically handle crimes that cross state lines or break federal law, while local cops handle everyday policing within their own jurisdiction.
Is fed formal or informal?
Fed, in the sense of a federal agent, is informal slang. In formal writing you would say federal agent or name the specific agency, such as an FBI special agent. Fed is fine in conversation and journalism but is too casual for official reports, legal documents, or the agents' own job titles.
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