national disaster

American  

[nash-uhn-uhl-di-zas-ter] / ˈnæʃ ən əl dɪˈzæs tər /

noun

• national disasters
  plural

1. a disaster, especially a natural disaster, such as a flood, hurricane, or earthquake, that affects a large portion of a nation or requires the resources and powers of a national government to address it.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• national disasters
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

national disaster

Announcing the move last November, Minister of Social Development Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe said treating the issue as a national disaster would help the government tackle the crisis.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

The country's national disaster mitigation agency, known as BNPB, advised people to remain calm and stay away from coastal areas.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

President Lee Jae Myung has ordered public agencies to mobilise all available resources to deal with the extreme heat, which he has called a "national disaster".

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026

The country's national disaster agency said reports of casualties were "still being verified".

From Barron's ● Jun. 8, 2026

In a mournful and foreboding voice, thoroughly appropriate to an hour of national disaster, Mr. Sopley thanked Lady Knob-Kerrick for her words, and the others for their notes.

From Adventures of Bindle by Herbert George Jenkins