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• national park
  national park

  noun

  an area of scenic beauty, historical importance, or the like, owned and maintained by a national government for the use of the people.
• National Park
  National Park

  noun

  a mountainous volcanic region in New Zealand, in the central North Island: ski resort

national park

American  

noun

1. an area of scenic beauty, historical importance, or the like, owned and maintained by a national government for the use of the people.

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National Park ¹ British  

noun

1. a mountainous volcanic region in New Zealand, in the central North Island: ski resort

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national park ² British  

noun

1. an area of countryside for public use designated by a national government as being of notable scenic, environmental, or historical importance

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Etymology

Origin of national park

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Compare meaning

How does national-park compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• national monument vs. national park

Example Sentences

He said he believed the national park has "the power, but I don't think they've got the will to do it".

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

She acknowledged that the race and the cage fights are happening on national park land and under the banner of Freedom 250, but said neither is receiving funds or logistical support from her organization.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Charles and Camilla were later paying their respects to fallen US troops at Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington, before meeting with Native Americans at a national park.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

In 2021, Parks Canada, which oversees the national park, was working out whether to try to save them by investing some $24 million in a major caribou breeding program.

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026

We fed salt to some Nilgiri tahrs—a species of wild goat—in a national park.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Related Words

• preserve
• reservation
• reserve