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

Example Sentences

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

From BBC • May 14, 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

To avoid this outcome, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service discourages anyone over 10 years of age from consuming more than 30 grams of added sugars a day.

From Slate • Mar. 5, 2026

If caught early, 90 percent of cases can be successfully treated, according to the National Health Service.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 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