global
Americanadjective
-
pertaining to the whole world; worldwide; universal.
the dream of global peace.
-
globular; globe-shaped.
-
of, relating to, or using a terrestrial or celestial globe.
-
(of a computer operation, linguistic rule, etc.) operating on a group of similar strings, commands, etc., in a single step.
adjective
-
covering, influencing, or relating to the whole world
-
comprehensive
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of global
Explanation
When something is global, it's happening all over the world. It's easy to spot the connection between global and globe. When the volcano in Iceland erupted, it quickly became a global event. Sure, things were tough in Reykjavík, but the dust and ash caused airport shutdowns and schedule disruptions around the world. Michael Jackson was a star in the United States from the time he was a little boy, but after he broke up with his brothers and went solo in the 1980s, he became a global phenomenon. There was hardly a country on earth where Michael Jackson wasn't a star.
Vocabulary lists containing global
Common Core Grades 7–8, List 4
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Common Core Grades 9–10, List 4
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Common Core Grade 6, List 4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Refineries are collecting on record-high margins for diesel and other fuels as global supplies shrink and prices skyrocket.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
The city council rejects the criticism, saying it secured "the best overall deal" at a time when investors were scarce after the 2007-2008 global financial crisis.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
So while El Niño is already having big impacts on global weather, and may influence the polar vortex later in winter, snow and ice in the UK is far from guaranteed.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
A strong auction could calm markets more, while weak previous auctions of long-end bonds have been prone to sparking fresh rounds of selling in global sovereign-debt markets, he added.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
However, strategies have evolved, including lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., as the global economic crisis has diminished public funding.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
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.
