global
Americanadjective
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pertaining to the whole world; worldwide; universal.
the dream of global peace.
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globular; globe-shaped.
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of, relating to, or using a terrestrial or celestial globe.
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(of a computer operation, linguistic rule, etc.) operating on a group of similar strings, commands, etc., in a single step.
adjective
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covering, influencing, or relating to the whole world
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comprehensive
Other Word Forms
Derived 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
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Common Core Grade 6, List 4
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 3
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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 chatbot, capable of conversing in natural language, captivated global audiences and has since developed advanced coding, voice interaction and image generation capabilities.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
Victor pointed out that there were plenty of other long-term impacts the U.S. and global economies will be stuck dealing with beyond just high oil prices.
From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026
This at least is a possible reason for Epstein wanting to know someone like Gates - who, while not a politician, is a global figure with significant networks and influence.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Prices of oil and gas will likely continue to rise beyond the current conflict-driven pressure as global demand continues to grow, the chief executive of oil major Shell said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
One interesting theory, given our present-day concerns with global warming, is that the ice ages were caused not by falling temperatures but by warming ones.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
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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.