rainbow nation
Britishnoun
Etymology
Origin of rainbow nation
C20: coined by Nelson Mandela following the end of apartheid
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.
For most South Africans, the "rainbow nation" was on display at the White House, putting up a united front against Trump.
From BBC ● May 21, 2025
“It’s good to see the rainbow nation is alive and well,” one character says upon returning to her native Johannesburg in the immediate wake of apartheid.
From New York Times ● Jul. 16, 2019
Mandela once called the temple an example of the rainbow nation.
From Washington Post ● May 9, 2019
The Academy’s new, diverse membership is super-keen to show that things have changed now, hence this year’s rainbow nation of nominees.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 16, 2019
“South Africa is a rainbow nation for me,” said Semenya, who carried the flag at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 17, 2018
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.
