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.
concerning or encompassing an entire nation.
a national radio network.
limited to one nation.
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.
of, involving, or relating to a nation as a whole
of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular nation
the national dress of Poland
rare nationalistic or patriotic
a citizen or subject
a national newspaper
National is an adjective that refers to something or someone that belongs to a nation or country. Baseball is the national pastime of the United States. The word national describes anything that is common to, shared by, or represents a group of people or a place that is considered a nation, like the national anthem sung before the national pastime of baseball. National statistics provide information about a country as a whole. During times of war, the national mood is usually tense and sad. A national is also a citizen of a nation. You might be called an “American national” if you are an American living in Paris.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The 59-year-old zoo, which occupies 133 acres in the northeast corner of Griffith Park, has also struggled to maintain its national accreditation, with federal regulators finding peeling paint and rust in some exhibits.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026
Jan. 30: “All my friends kept saying I was a national hero” and that they “ ‘felt safe in my arms.’
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
During periods of external conflict, governments often find it easier to suppress internal opposition, justify tighter security measures and rally support around national defence.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
It added that an inquiry was ongoing "to determine the circumstances of the incident and to take the necessary measures to preserve Egypt's interests and national security".
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
Many parents liked what they saw in their children: the discipline, physical fitness, diligence, pursuit of excellence, pride in national heritage, and a sense of purpose.
From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
National Assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez -- the interim leader's brother -- will head the talks alongside opposition figure Dinorah Figuera.
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
He was transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda's largest public hospital, but was refusing treatment from government medical personnel.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
Two years later Robinson was named the most valuable player after leading the National League in batting average and stolen bases.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
The WNBA, the Women’s National Basketball Players Assn., the Wings and the Dream did not immediately respond to questions regarding possible disciplinary action against Reese and Bueckers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
“I’ll go on into town. There must be some sort of emergency headquarters. The Red Cross or the National Guard or someone must be coordinating rescue efforts.”
From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret
But it has struggled against a lack of enforcement power and several nations -- notably China, Israel, Russia and the United States -- do not recognise its jurisdiction, hampering its ability to investigate their nationals.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
Tax authorities this year have reminded nationals to declare overseas income and noted China’s involvement in the Common Reporting Standard, an information-sharing system among global tax bodies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
Indonesia's immigration authorities have banned two Dutch nationals for organising an illegal running event that had also allegedly discriminated against locals.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Two U.S.-based mathematicians from China have won the Fields Medal, considered math’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize, becoming the first Chinese nationals to earn the honor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
She also called teachers in other high schools who had sent students to the nationals, just to get some tips on how to prepare and present.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
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.
