nationality
noun
na·tion·al·i·ty
ˌna-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 
ˌnash-ˈna-
plural nationalities
1
: national character
the nationality of Ireland is in her songs and in her stories, and in her chronicles and in her tradition—
W. B. Yeats
W. B. Yeats3
a
: national status
specifically
: a legal relationship involving allegiance on the part of an individual and usually protection on the part of the state
nationality bestowed by birth
b
: membership in a particular nation
Vietnamese nationality
4
: political independence or existence as a separate nation
5
a
: a people having a common origin, tradition, and language and capable of forming or actually constituting a nation-state
The diverse nationalities of the Austro-Hungarian Empire desired independence.
b
: an ethnic group constituting one element of a larger unit (such as a nation)
The country is home to five nationalities.
Examples of nationality in a Sentence
The country is home to five nationalities and seven languages.
people of all races and nationalities
She's American, but her parents are of Japanese nationality.
He has held French nationality for the past 20 years.
The university has students of over 50 nationalities.
Recent Examples on the Web
The new production showcases different cultures and nationalities joining together to present circus acrobatics and aerial artistry along with other entertainment.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2024
More than 2 million migrants of all nationalities are expected to be apprehended along the border by the end of this fiscal year in September, which would be the third straight year of sustained foot traffic across the span.
—Ed O'Keefe, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2024
At first, the state’s resident citizens should be those 5 million Palestinians now carrying PA identity cards and passports, but the state should eventually grant nationality without residency rights to Palestinian refugees worldwide, as an affirmation of identity.
—Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2024
Ireland's skilled workforce includes people of many nationalities, not just those born on the island, Houlihan added.
—The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2024
These two contrasting creators, with their differing backgrounds, nationalities & musical careers, make up the dance music duo RHYME SO.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024
The woman, who has Brazilian-Spanish dual nationality, shared her account of the incident on Instagram, where the couple has drawn a large following tracking their motorcycle tour of Asia.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2024
The small boat was carrying 16 migrants including the seven-year-old girl’s parents, whose nationality is unknown.
—Eve Brennan, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024
The victims were of multiple nationalities, with the youngest being 25-year-old Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha.
—Britt Clennett, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2024
The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2024
More than 2 million migrants of all nationalities are expected to be apprehended along the border by the end of this fiscal year in September, which would be the third straight year of sustained foot traffic across the span.
—Ed O'Keefe, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2024
At first, the state’s resident citizens should be those 5 million Palestinians now carrying PA identity cards and passports, but the state should eventually grant nationality without residency rights to Palestinian refugees worldwide, as an affirmation of identity.
—Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2024
Ireland's skilled workforce includes people of many nationalities, not just those born on the island, Houlihan added.
—The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2024
These two contrasting creators, with their differing backgrounds, nationalities & musical careers, make up the dance music duo RHYME SO.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024
The woman, who has Brazilian-Spanish dual nationality, shared her account of the incident on Instagram, where the couple has drawn a large following tracking their motorcycle tour of Asia.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2024
The small boat was carrying 16 migrants including the seven-year-old girl’s parents, whose nationality is unknown.
—Eve Brennan, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024
The victims were of multiple nationalities, with the youngest being 25-year-old Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha.
—Britt Clennett, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nationality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to nationality
Dictionary Entries Near nationality
Cite this Entry
“Nationality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationality. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nationality
noun
na·tion·al·i·ty
ˌnash-(ə-)ˈnal-ət-ē
plural nationalities
1
: the fact or state of belonging to a nation
a person of French nationality
2
: political independence as a nation
3
: a people having a common beginning, tradition, or language
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