national

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

/ ˈnæʃ ə nl, ˈnæʃ nəl /

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.

Nearby words

nation, nation of islam, nation, carry, nation-building, nation-state, national, national academy of sciences, national accounting, national aeronautics and space administration, national agreement, national anthem

Origin of national

First recorded in 1590–1600; nation + -al¹

Related forms

na·tion·al·ly, adverban·ti·na·tion·al, adjectivean·ti·na·tion·al·ly, adverbnon·na·tion·al, adjective, noun

non·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 confused

federal national

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
In our National Gallery there are fine specimens of Correggio.
The Old Masters and Their Pictures|Sarah Tytler
A huge crowd had gathered, and the youth of it was demonstrating with energy, cheering and breaking soon into national songs.
The Guns of Europe|Joseph A. Altsheler
This unpretentious spot of Italian soil was to prove the cradle of the revolutioniser of Italy's national music-drama.
Verdi: Man and Musician|Frederick James Crowest
He stopped to send his officer to the Arcade; but the National Guard had been withdrawn from there, too.
The Countess of Charny|Alexandre Dumas (pere)
Some thirty others of the National party followed his example of defiance with a similar result.
The New England Magazine, Volume 1, No. 2, February, 1886.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for national (1 of 2)

national

/ (ˈnæʃənəl) /

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 Forms

nationally, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for national (2 of 2)

National

/ (ˈnæʃənəl) /

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

national

adjective

noun

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of national

Related forms

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for national

British Dictionary definitions for national (1 of 2)

national

adjective

noun

Derived Forms

British Dictionary definitions for national (2 of 2)

National

noun