national

[nash-uh-nl, nash-nuhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or maintained by a nation as an organized whole or independent political unit.

   national affairs.

2. owned, preserved, or maintained by the federal government.

   a national wildlife refuge.

3. peculiar or common to the whole people of a country.

   national customs.

4. devoted to one's own nation, its interests, etc.; patriotic.

   to stir up national pride.

5. nationalist.

6. concerning or encompassing an entire nation.

   a national radio network.

7. limited to one nation.

noun

1. a citizen or subject of a particular nation who is entitled to its protection.

   U.S. nationals living abroad.

2. Often nationals. a national competition, tournament, or the like.

   We're invited to Minneapolis for the nationals.

3. a national company or organization.

national

¹

/ ˈnæʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, involving, or relating to a nation as a whole

2. of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular nation

   the national dress of Poland

3. rare,  nationalistic or patriotic

noun

1. a citizen or subject

2. a national newspaper

National

²

/ ˈnæʃənəl /

noun

1. short for the Grand National

Other Word Forms

• nationally adverb
• antinational adjective
• antinationally 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of national¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; nation + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Of those detained, 300 are reported to be Korean nationals.

From BBC

The timing coincides with the rollout of a new "national messenger" app known as Max and created by a Russian firm closely controlled by the Kremlin.

From BBC

Independent analysis by a trusted consumer advocacy group has found that several of Australia's most popular, and expensive, sunscreens are not providing the protection they claim to, kicking off a national scandal.

From BBC

There are more than 4,000 scheduled monuments which include archaeological sites of national importance including Roman remains, burial mounds, castles, and bridges, with 400 registered historic parks and four world heritage sites.

From BBC

The band’s shows in the UK transformed its city centers with a fervor closer to national heritage than mere rock band fandom.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• civil 
• communal 
• domestic 
• ethnic 
• governmental www.thesaurus.com
• internal 
• interstate 
• nationwide 
• public 
• social