international

[ in-ter-nash-uh-nl ]

/ ˌɪn tərˈnæʃ ə nl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR international ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

between or among nations; involving two or more nations: international trade.

of or relating to two or more nations or their citizens: a matter of international concern.

pertaining to the relations between nations: international law.

having members or activities in several nations: an international organization.

transcending national boundaries or viewpoints: an international benefit; an international reputation.

noun

(initial capital letter) any of several international socialist or communist organizations formed in the 19th and 20th centuries.Compare First International, Second International, Third International, Fourth International, Labor and Socialist International.

(sometimes initial capital letter) a labor union having locals in two or more countries.

an organization, enterprise, or group, especially a major business concern, having branches, dealings, or members in several countries.

an employee, especially an executive, assigned to work in a foreign country or countries by a business or organization that has branches or dealings in several countries.

Nearby words

internal-combustion, internal-combustion engine, internalize, internasal suture, internat., international, international association of lions clubs, international atomic time, international bank for reconstruction and development, international brigade, international candle

Origin of international

First recorded in 1770–80; inter- + national

SYNONYMS FOR international

5 worldwide, cosmopolitan.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR international ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

in·ter·na·tion·al·i·ty, nounin·ter·na·tion·al·ly, adverbnon·in·ter·na·tion·al, adjectivenon·in·ter·na·tion·al·ly, adverb

pseu·do·in·ter·na·tion·al, adjectivequa·si-in·ter·na·tion·al, adjectivequa·si-in·ter·na·tion·al·ly, adverbun·in·ter·na·tion·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for international

First, his credentials: He did international mergers and acquisitions at Lazard, a financial and asset management firm.
Sen. Warren’s Main Street Crusade to Pressure Clinton|Eleanor Clift|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Together, they crossed over the International Bridges on foot into Juarez to conduct some business.
An Informant, a Missing American, and Juarez’s House of Death: Inside the 12-Year Cold Case of David Castro|Bill Conroy|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Despite its ranking at the bottom of most international development indexes, the conflict is shrouded by confusion.
The Year’s Most Forgotten Humanitarian Crisis|Nina Strochlic|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
His plan was to one day become a diplomat, but he was losing faith in the idea of international policy as a career path.
DJ Spooky Wants You To Question Everything You Know About Music, Technology, and Philosophy|Oliver Jones|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He went on to lead Mumbai in scoring in a season that he began at age 15, making the international team at 16.
The Story of the World’s Greatest Cricket Player|William O’Connor|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Powerful as the International is, it is still far from the place where business is one long sweet dream of monopoly.
The Romance of the Reaper|Herbert Newton Casson
And, in addition to the ordinary incentives, was the international character of the event.
Bert Wilson, Marathon Winner|J. W. Duffield
The “International”, as is well known, was formed in 1864 by French and English workingmen.
Syndicalism in France|Louis Levine
Germany to raise at once an international loan, of which amount, rate of interest, and amortisation quota are to be agreed on.
A Revision of the Treaty|John Maynard Keynes
This new principle of international law related to the rights of merchant vessels belonging to neutral powers in time of war.
The American Revolution|John Fiske

British Dictionary definitions for international (1 of 2)

international

/ (ˌɪntəˈnæʃənəl) /

adjective

of, concerning, or involving two or more nations or nationalities

established by, controlling, or legislating for several nationsan international court; international fishing rights

available for use by all nationsinternational waters

noun

sport

a contest between two national teams
a member of these teams

Derived Forms

internationality, nouninternationally, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for international (2 of 2)

International

/ (ˌɪntəˈnæʃənəl) /

noun

any of several international socialist organizationsSee Comintern, First International, Labour and Socialist International, Second International, Socialist International, Trotskyist International, Vienna Union

a member of any of these organizations

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Culture definitions for international

International

An international organization of workers founded by Karl Marx (see also Marx) in the 1860s. Weakened by disputes, it was dissolved in 1876, but it was succeeded by three later Internationals, which sought to spread communism throughout the world. The most effective of these was the Third International, formed by the Soviet Union in 1919 and dissolved in 1943 by Joseph Stalin.