A number of states (or formerly of persons) united by a league; a body of states united for certain common purposes.

quasi-concrete. A collective body of persons or parties united by league; a body of confederates; now esp. a union of states, a confederation.

incorporating union, a union which combines two or more states, etc. under one government, or converts separate bodies into one corporation…

gen. Any (hypothetical or actual) union of the states of a specified geographical area into a political federation.

A body of federated states; = confederacy, n. 3.

A union of three states or countries.

Chiefly with the and capital initial. A political unit consisting of a number of states or provinces… More fully the Union of South Africa. A…