foreign relations

noun

1. (used with a plural verb),  the dealings and relationships between nations.

2. (used with a singular verb),  the field of foreign affairs.

   an expert in foreign relations.

3. (used with a singular verb),  the quality or character of foreign affairs as a consequence of foreign policy.

   a deterioration in their foreign relations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of foreign relations¹

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10

Example Sentences

Steven Cook, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote: "Whether this leads to an end to the war remains an open question."

Read more on Barron's

It involves itself, for instance, in the setting of technical standards, according to Shannon K. O’Neil of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The biggest problem we face is that there’s no agreement on what terrorism is and it’s become completely subjective,” said Bruce Hoffman, senior fellow for counter-terrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At the time of the scheme, Robert Menendez was the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a powerful role that gave him significant influence over US foreign policy.

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As Linda Robinson at the Council on Foreign Relations warned, this “crusade…is doing incalculable harm to government and public service.”

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• diplomacy