nation

noun

na·​tion ˈnā-shən How to pronounce nation (audio)
1
a(1)
: nationality sense 5a
three Slav peoples … forged into a Yugoslavia without really fusing into a Yugoslav nationHans Kohn
(2)
: a politically organized nationality
(3)
in the Bible : a non-Jewish nationality
why do the nations conspirePsalms 2:1 (Revised Standard Version)
b
: a community of people composed of one or more nationalities and possessing a more or less defined territory and government
Canada is a nation with a written constitutionB. K. Sandwell
c
: a territorial division containing a body of people of one or more nationalities and usually characterized by relatively large size and independent status
a nation of vast size with a small populationMary K. Hammond
2
archaic : group, aggregation
3
: a tribe or federation of tribes (as of American Indians)
the Seminole Nation in Oklahoma

Examples of nation in a Sentence

It's one of the richest nations in the world. the largest state in the nation The President will speak to the nation tonight. The entire nation is celebrating the victory.
Recent Examples on the Web The ships targeted by the Houthis, however, have increasingly had little or no connection to Israel, the U.S. or other nations involved in the war. Jon Gambrell, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 What is apparent is that the gangs are trying to capitalize on their control of Port-au-Prince, the capital, to become a legitimate political force in the negotiations being brokered by foreign governments including the United States, France and Caribbean nations. Frances Robles, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The committee is part of the United Nations Environment Programme, which has committed to developing a Global Plastics Treaty between 175 nations by the end of 2024. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 But many analysts believe the 71-year-old autocrat will rule this nation of 146 million people for life. Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 Earlier on Monday, the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, had flown to Jamaica for discussions with leaders of the Caribbean CARICOM nations about how to stabilize the situation. Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2024 The service celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth — the family of nations mostly linked to the U.K. through the British Empire. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 While Denmark, like other European countries, for years missed the alliance’s target, the Nordic nation has emerged as one of the biggest donors to Ukraine and has over the past two years increased military spending in several steps. Sanne Wass, Fortune Europe, 13 Mar. 2024 Costs on leases are down 1 percent compared with a year ago nationwide, with more than half of nation’s largest cities seeing drops. Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nacioun, from Anglo-French naciun, from Latin nation-, natio birth, race, nation, from nasci to be born; akin to Latin gignere to beget — more at kin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of nation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near nation

Cite this Entry

“Nation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nation

noun
na·​tion ˈnā-shən How to pronounce nation (audio)
1
2
: a community of people composed of one or more nationalities usually with its own territory and government
3
: the territory of a nation

Biographical Definition

Nation

biographical name

Na·​tion ˈnā-shən How to pronounce Nation (audio)
Car*ry ˈker-ē How to pronounce Nation (audio)
ˈka-rē
Amelia 1846–1911 née Moore American temperance agitator

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