Jump To:

• national park
  national park

  noun

  an area of scenic beauty, historical importance, or the like, owned and maintained by a national government for the use of the people.
• National Park
  National Park

  noun

  a mountainous volcanic region in New Zealand, in the central North Island: ski resort

national park

American  

noun

1. an area of scenic beauty, historical importance, or the like, owned and maintained by a national government for the use of the people.

---

National Park ¹ British  

noun

1. a mountainous volcanic region in New Zealand, in the central North Island: ski resort

---

national park ² British  

noun

1. an area of countryside for public use designated by a national government as being of notable scenic, environmental, or historical importance

---

Etymology

Origin of national park

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Compare meaning

How does national-park compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• national monument vs. national park

Example Sentences

America’s most-visited national park is home to 19 different firefly species.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Morel said he felt it was important the next set of politicians continued to protect the national park.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

Even before the summer rush, which begins in earnest in a few days with Memorial Day weekend, California’s most visited national park is seeing enormous crowds.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

The couple will later meet with Native Americans at a national park, before departing for the British island territory of Bermuda in the Atlantic.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

A small part of Mount Elgon is a national park.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

Related Words

• preserve
• reservation
• reserve