National Health Service

American  

[nash-uh-nl helth sur-vis, nash-nuhl] / ˈnæʃ ə nl ˈhɛlθ ˌsɜr vɪs, ˈnæʃ nəl /

noun

1. Great Britain’s publicly funded network of healthcare systems: often used in the United Kingdom as an umbrella term that also includes the Health and Social Care of Northern Ireland. NHS

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National Health Service British  

noun

1. Abbreviation: NHS. (in Britain) the system of national medical services since 1948, financed mainly by taxation

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Etymology

Origin of National Health Service

First recorded in 1880–85 as a recommendation; established in 1946

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

National Health Service

Mr. Streeting can be reasonable on some issues, especially the need for reforms to the National Health Service that might allow more private-sector involvement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026

The National Health Service is the embodiment of all that is best about Britain and our values.

From BBC ● May 14, 2026

Wales -- the cradle of Britain's revered National Health Service and a former industrial powerhouse -- has been a Labour Party stronghold for well over a century.

From Barron's ● May 4, 2026

A common refrain in Britain, for instance, is “But we have the National Health Service, and in America everyone has to pay huge sums for medical care.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026

‘I read some interesting figures yesterday. If everyone in Britain gave up smoking, the National Health Service would save—’ ‘Ted!’

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd

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