national
Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or maintained by a nation as an organized whole or independent political unit.
national affairs.
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owned, preserved, or maintained by the federal government.
a national wildlife refuge.
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peculiar or common to the whole people of a country.
national customs.
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devoted to one's own nation, its interests, etc.; patriotic.
to stir up national pride.
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concerning or encompassing an entire nation.
a national radio network.
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limited to one nation.
noun
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a citizen or subject of a particular nation who is entitled to its protection.
U.S. nationals living abroad.
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Often nationals. a national competition, tournament, or the like.
We're invited to Minneapolis for the nationals.
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a national company or organization.
adjective
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of, involving, or relating to a nation as a whole
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of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular nation
the national dress of Poland
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rare nationalistic or patriotic
noun
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a citizen or subject
-
a national newspaper
noun
Other Word Forms
- antinational adjective
- antinationally adverb
- nationally adverb
- nonnational adjective
- nonnationally adverb
- prenational adjective
- pronational adjective
- pseudonational adjective
- pseudonationally adverb
- quasi-national adjective
- quasi-nationally adverb
- subnational adjective
- unnational adjective
- unnationally adverb
Etymology
Origin of national
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
More recently, Google removed its AI policy restrictions and said it is leaning further into national security work.
From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026
Prior to the latest amendment, the obligation to report extended stays abroad applied only if Germany was in a state of national defence or mobilisation.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
South Carolina, under legendary coach Dawn Staley, is playing in the national championship game for the third straight year and fourth time in five years.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026
Giuliani, on the other hand, made national headlines as “America’s mayor” for his leadership during the 9/11 crisis, and immediately became a plausible candidate for president.
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
Chess was practically the Russian national sport, and Khrushchev relished the chess-like aspects of his job, the cunning calculation of moves and countermoves.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
