nationality
Americannoun
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the status of belonging to a particular nation, whether by birth or naturalization.
the nationality of an immigrant.
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the relationship of property, holdings, etc., to a particular nation, or to one or more of its members.
the nationality of a ship.
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existence as a distinct nation; national independence.
a small colony that has just achieved nationality.
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a nation or people.
the nationalities of the Americas.
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a national quality or character.
Nationalities tend to submerge and disappear in a metropolis.
noun
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the state or fact of being a citizen of a particular nation
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a body of people sharing common descent, history, language, etc; a nation
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a national group
30 different nationalities are found in this city
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national character or quality
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the state or fact of being a nation; national status
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of nationality
Explanation
Your nationality is the country you come from: American, Canadian, and Russian are all nationalities. Everyone has a gender, race, sexual orientation...and a nationality. A person's nationality is where they are a legal citizen, usually in the country where they were born. People from Mexico have Mexican nationality, and people from Australia have Australian nationality. People of the same nationality usually share traditions and customs, and they might look a little alike, too. Nationality is one of many qualities that bring people together.
Vocabulary lists containing nationality
Vocabulary of the Summer Olympics
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Human Geography - Middle School
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Human Geography - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Congress adopted birthright citizenship in the Immigration and Nationality Acts of 1940 and 1952.
From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026
The Immigration and Nationality Act allows an "alien who is physically present in the United States or who arrives in the United States" to apply for asylum.
From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026
He added: "It's about your priorities -- what is the thing that you really believe you're part of... Nationality really is an extension of being part of the family."
From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026
They alleged that the government had violated his right to due process of law and provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and federal habeas corpus law.
From Salon • Apr. 19, 2025
The Nationality of which I am speaking must not be confused with the conception of nationality as it exists in Europe to-day.
From Freedom Through Disobedience by Das, C. R. (Chittaranjan)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
