national

[nash-uh-nl, nash-nuh l]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR national ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

owned, preserved, or maintained by the federal government: a national wildlife refuge.

peculiar or common to the whole people of a country: national customs.

devoted to one's own nation, its interests, etc.; patriotic: to stir up national pride.

nationalist.

concerning or encompassing an entire nation: a national radio network.

limited to one nation.

noun

a citizen or subject of a particular nation who is entitled to its protection: U.S. nationals living abroad.

Often nationals. a national competition, tournament, or the like: We're invited to Minneapolis for the nationals.

a national company or organization.

Origin of national

First recorded in 1590–1600; nation + -al¹

Related formsna·tion·al·ly, adverban·ti·na·tion·al, adjectivean·ti·na·tion·al·ly, adverbnon·na·tion·al, adjective, nounnon·na·tion·al·ly, adverbpre·na·tion·al, adjectivepro·na·tion·al, adjectivepseu·do·na·tion·al, adjectivepseu·do·na·tion·al·ly, adverbqua·si-na·tion·al, adjectivequa·si-na·tion·al·ly, adverbsub·na·tion·al, adjectiveun·na·tion·al, adjectiveun·na·tion·al·ly, adverb

Can be confusedfederal national

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

Related Words for national

communal, civil, ethnic, domestic, governmental, internal, social, public, nationwide, interstate, royal, sovereign, general, state, vernacular, sweeping, home, imperial, native, federal

Examples from the Web for national

Contemporary Examples of national

The scheme has been condemned by civil liberties groups and queried by the National Association of Head Teachers.
Britain May Spy on Preschoolers Searching for Potential Jihadis
Nico Hines
January 7, 2015
Whether he can do it on the national stage is the unanswered question.
Can Huckabee Convert the GOP’s Moneymen?
Lloyd Green
January 4, 2015
We face a lot of problems at this moment in our national and global history.
In 2015, Let’s Try for More Compassion
Gene Robinson
January 4, 2015
If mercy is not preached by a national figure we take seriously, our battles over policy power will grow ever more merciless.
No Gods, No Cops, No Masters
James Poulos
January 1, 2015
His son, Yaqoob Bizenjo, served as a member of the National Assembly until 2013.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan
Umar Farooq
December 29, 2014

Historical Examples of national

The sentiment in the mind of every citizen is national strength.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
The national verdict of 1896 has for the most part been executed.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
The national purpose is indicated through a national election.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
They are too deeply rooted in the principles of our national life to be altered.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
When action is required to preserve our national security, we will act.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various

British Dictionary definitions for national

national

adjective

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

of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular nationthe national dress of Poland

rare nationalistic or patriotic

noun

a citizen or subject

a national newspaper

Derived Formsnationally, adverb

National

noun

the National 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

Word Origin and History for national

adj.

1590s, from Middle French national (from Old French nation), and also from nation + -al (1). As a noun, "citizen of a (particular) nation," from 1887. National anthem first recorded 1819, in Shelley. Related: Nationally.