national

[ nash-uh-nl, nash-nuhl ]

/ ˈnæʃ ə nl, ˈnæʃ nəl /

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See synonyms for: national / nationals / nationally 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.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of national

First recorded in 1590–1600; nation + -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM national

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH national

federal, national

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use national in a sentence

That’s thanks to a new national repository of those positive-diagnosis keys.
A covid-fighting tool is buried in your phone. Turn it on.|Geoffrey Fowler|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Unlike the other six, however, Glenn sensed both opportunity and responsibility, rising to the challenge of speaking as a national representative during the height of the Cold War.
Another look at John Glenn through a heroic lens|Francis French|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Eventually, though, the national love of skiing died off as Americans got distracted by rival pursuits like golf and chalupas.
How COVID-19 Could Actually Be Good for Skiing|Marc Peruzzi|November 20, 2020|Outside Online
The national organization has reported more than $1 billion in assets, which include financial investments and four high-adventure bases such as the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia and the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
Boy Scouts must settle 95,000 abuse claims by next summer — or risk running out of cash|Samantha Schmidt|November 19, 2020|Washington Post

The same year, 1863, Thanksgiving became a regular national observance by Lincoln’s hand.
George Washington’s 1795 Thanksgiving celebrated liberty. But the chef behind the feast had none.|Ramin Ganeshram|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
In 2012, for the first time ever, black voter turnout nationally surpassed that of all other groups.
Is This the Beginning of the End for Blacks and Dems?|Keli Goff|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nationally, the number of Americans concerned that Ebola will shoot through the population is skyrocketing.
Apocalypse Now: Preppers Are Gearing Up for Ebola|Nina Strochlic|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The goal of our website is to turn that process into a large marketplace,” says Horrigan, who hopes to grow the site nationally.
From a Broken Lease, a Dream NYC Home|Lizzie Crocker|September 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Daily Beast found out with the help of nationally ranked competitive eater Eric ‘Badlands’ Booker.
Video: We Took a Competitive Eater to TGI Fridays for Endless Appetizers—and They Ran Out|Brandy Zadrozny|July 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Clinton leads all Republican rivals nationally and is ahead among white college graduates.
Cleveland, LeBron James, and the 2016 Republican Convention|Lloyd Green|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This industry has developed rapidly, and Virginia now plays an important part nationally in this production.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
He became nationally famous for his "Rhapsodie Negre" for piano and orchestra.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
The forest problem is, both locally and nationally, of vital internal importance.
Our National Forests|Richard H. Douai Boerker
But he remembered his country, and if Boston wanted to rejoice with the victors, it might be of advantage nationally.
The Cruise of the "Lively Bee"|John De Morgan
Take orders in your district for nationally known Bostonian Shirts.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science February 1930|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 of national

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

Origin of national

OTHER WORDS FROM national

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH national

Words related to national

How to use national in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for national (1 of 2)

Derived forms of national

British Dictionary definitions for national (2 of 2)