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Synonyms

national

American  
[nash-uh-nl, nash-nuhl] / ˈnæʃ ə nl, ˈnæʃ nəl /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or maintained by a nation as an organized whole or independent political unit.

    national affairs.

  2. owned, preserved, or maintained by the federal government.

    a national wildlife refuge.

  3. peculiar or common to the whole people of a country.

    national customs.

  4. devoted to one's own nation, its interests, etc.; patriotic.

    to stir up national pride.

  5. nationalist.

  6. concerning or encompassing an entire nation.

    a national radio network.

  7. limited to one nation.


noun

  1. a citizen or subject of a particular nation who is entitled to its protection.

    U.S. nationals living abroad.

  2. Often nationals. a national competition, tournament, or the like.

    We're invited to Minneapolis for the nationals.

  3. a national company or organization.

national 1 British  
/ ˈnæʃənəl /

adjective

  1. of, involving, or relating to a nation as a whole

  2. of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular nation

    the national dress of Poland

  3. rare nationalistic or patriotic

"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

noun

  1. a citizen or subject

  2. a national newspaper

"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
National 2 British  
/ ˈnæʃənəl /

noun

  1. short for the Grand National

"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

Other Word Forms

  • antinational adjective
  • antinationally adverb
  • nationally adverb
  • nonnational adjective
  • nonnationally adverb
  • prenational adjective
  • pronational adjective
  • pseudonational adjective
  • pseudonationally adverb
  • quasi-national adjective
  • quasi-nationally adverb
  • subnational adjective
  • unnational adjective
  • unnationally adverb

Etymology

Origin of national

First recorded in 1590–1600; nation + -al 1

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.

If El Camino Real could only transport a piano to the baseball field, the December boys probably would deliver a cool national anthem.

From Los Angeles Times

There will also be "targeted", "targeted plus" and "specialist" layers of support, as well as new national inclusion standards.

From BBC

“The American cowboy, our great national folk hero, is recognized around the world as a symbol of our country,” the late Jim Hoy, a renowned cowboy historian, told Texas Highways magazine.

From Los Angeles Times

He has also sought to justify his policy as a matter of national security.

From BBC

Earlier this month, the Dutch superstar won her debut race in Metz, France, setting a national record of 1:59.07 in the process.

From BBC