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
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.
This is the theory held by Chris Turner, ING’s global head of markets and regional research.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 30, 2026
But the BIS connects some other dots, drawing lines between a possible AI bust and the unusually vulnerable state of consumers, governments and the global economy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026
According to Allianz Trade, nearly 70 percent of global data centre emissions are currently concentrated in the United States and China, the world's AI leaders.
From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026
“Historically high debt levels, higher inflation and continuing global uncertainty all make a good case for gold,” Gaffney added.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 30, 2026
She was feeling optimistic about the possibility of the war being quashed by a global voice, and wouldn’t that be something!
From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx
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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.