foreign affairs

American  

plural noun

1. activities of a nation in its relationships with other nations; international relations.

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foreign affairs British  

plural noun

1. matters abroad that involve the homeland, such as relations with another country

2. matters that do not involve the homeland

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Etymology

Origin of foreign affairs

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

foreign affairs

Guest: Josh Keating, senior correspondent covering foreign affairs at Vox.

From Slate ● Jul. 29, 2026

"The alliance reinforces Australia and Fiji's commitment to a peaceful, prosperous and secure region," said Australia's foreign affairs department.

From Barron's ● Jul. 6, 2026

A man who was, until the early hours of Friday, a mayor hasn't had much reason to expound in public on foreign affairs, for example.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

Greenspan’s wife, Andrea Mitchell, shared the news of his death in a statement provided to NBC News, where she is chief Washington correspondent and chief foreign affairs correspondent.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 2026

“By the end of the meeting,” Haldeman remembered, “Nixon was as angry as his foreign affairs chief. The thought that an alleged weirdo was blatantly challenging the president infuriated him.”

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin