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.
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, who has been pushing the idea on the global stage, is said to be keen for the UK to join the project.
From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026
But this time around, it’s not about the declassified information, or even the aliens themselves; it’s about our collective reaction to a global reckoning.
From Salon • Jun. 13, 2026
“This argues for reconsidering portfolio allocations that were shaped during the low-yield, low-volatility decade following the global financial crisis,” said the Pimco team.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 13, 2026
Recovering oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz and new bypass routes have helped stabilize global supply.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026
And there was still another front in the global war, one likely to spark the next superpower clash: the German city of Berlin.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
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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.