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Netherlands

American  
[neth-er-luhndz] / ˈnɛð ər ləndz /

noun

  1. (used with a singular or plural verb) the, a kingdom in W Europe, bordering on the North Sea, Germany, and Belgium. 13,433 sq. mi. (34,790 sq. km). Capitals: Amsterdam and The Hague.


Netherlands British  
/ ˈnɛðələndz /

noun

  1. Also called: Holland.  Dutch name: Nederland.  a kingdom in NW Europe, on the North Sea: declared independence from Spain in 1581 as the United Provinces; became a major maritime and commercial power in the 17th century, gaining many overseas possessions; formed the Benelux customs union with Belgium and Luxembourg in 1948 and was a founder member of the Common Market, now the European Union. It is mostly flat and low-lying, with about 40 per cent of the land being below sea level, much of it on polders protected by dykes. Official language: Dutch. Religion: Christian majority, Protestant and Roman Catholic, large nonreligious minority. Currency: euro. Capital: Amsterdam, with the seat of government at The Hague. Pop: 16 805 037 (2013 est). Area: 41 526 sq km (16 033 sq miles)

  2. the kingdom of the Netherlands together with the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium, esp as ruled by Spain and Austria before 1581; the Low Countries

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • Netherlander noun
  • Netherlandian adjective

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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.

The Netherlands, Austria, Italy and Germany will conduct government bond auctions on Tuesday, while Greece is set to go ahead with a syndicated deal to issue a new 10-year bond.

From The Wall Street Journal

Public broadcasters in Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain have all announced they are boycotting this year's event.

From Barron's

Heineken, which is worth billions of euros, was founded in the Netherlands.

From BBC

Auctions from the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Germany and Spain are scheduled this week but some syndicated deals are likely as well.

From The Wall Street Journal

SEOUL—After the last whistle blew at the youth women’s World Cup final in November, the Netherlands coach sounded dejected.

From The Wall Street Journal