nation
a large body of people, associated with a particular territory, that is sufficiently conscious of its unity to seek or to possess a government peculiarly its own: The president spoke to the nation about the new tax.
the territory or country itself: the nations of Central America.
a member tribe of an American Indian confederation.
an aggregation of persons of the same ethnic family, often speaking the same language or cognate languages.
Origin of nation
1synonym study For nation
Other words for nation
Other words from nation
- na·tion·hood, noun
- na·tion·less, adjective
- in·ter·na·tion, adjective
- min·i·na·tion, noun
- su·per·na·tion, noun
Other definitions for Nation (2 of 2)
Carry or Carrie (Amelia Moore), 1846–1911, U.S. temperance leader.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use nation in a sentence
The United Nations was prompted to impose a ban on selling mainframe computers or laptops to North Korea.
Inside the ‘Surprisingly Great’ North Korean Hacker Hotel | Michael Daly | December 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported that 3,419 others are known to have died at sea in 2014, so far.
Inside the Smuggling Networks Flooding Europe with Refugees | Barbie Latza Nadeau | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHornbuckle, on the other hand, says the policy will not put Native American nations in danger.
Tribes to U.S. Government: Take Your Weed and Shove It | Abby Haglage | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe United Nations wants us to remember human rights 365 days a year, in fact.
Remembering Iran’s Imprisoned Kurds on UN Human Rights Day | Sharif Behruz, Movements.Org | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAfter all, smaller developing nations like Cameroon often depend on trade with and aid from the West.
Nations shall declare his wisdom, and the church shall shew forth his praise.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousRenounce the good law of the worshippers of Mazda, and thou shalt gain such a boon as the Murderer gained, the ruler of nations.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature | Moncure Daniel ConwayAnd as a flood hath watered the earth; so shall his wrath inherit the nations, that have not sought after him.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousIts record is largely that of battles and sieges, of the brave adventure of discovery and the vexed slaughter of the nations.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice | Stephen LeacockLift up thy hand over the strange nations, that they may see thy power.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | Various
British Dictionary definitions for nation
/ (ˈneɪʃən) /
an aggregation of people or peoples of one or more cultures, races, etc, organized into a single state: the Australian nation
a community of persons not constituting a state but bound by common descent, language, history, etc: the French-Canadian nation
a federation of tribes, esp American Indians
the territory occupied by such a federation
Origin of nation
1Derived forms of nation
- nationhood, noun
- nationless, adjective
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
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