of, involving, or relating to a nation as a whole of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular nation: the national dress of Poland
a citizen or subject a national newspaper
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
na•tion•al /ˈnæʃənəl, ˈnæʃnəl/USA pronunciation
adj.
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- Governmentof, relating to, or belonging to a nation:a national anthem.
- Government typical of or common to the people of a nation:[before a noun]national customs.
n. [countable]
- Governmenta citizen of a particular nation under recognized law.
- a national company, business, or organization.
na•tion•al
(nash′ə nl, nash′nəl),USA pronunciation adj.
n.
na′tion•al•ly, adv.
- Governmentof, pertaining to, or maintained by a nation as an organized whole or independent political unit:national affairs.
- Governmentowned, preserved, or maintained by the federal government:a national wildlife refuge.
- Governmentpeculiar or common to the whole people of a country:national customs.
- Governmentdevoted to one's own nation, its interests, etc.;
patriotic:to stir up national pride. - Governmentnationalist.
- Governmentconcerning or encompassing an entire nation:a national radio network.
- Governmentlimited to one nation.
n.
- Governmenta citizen or subject of a particular nation who is entitled to its protection:U.S. nationals living abroad.
- Often, nationals. a national competition, tournament, or the like:We're invited to Minneapolis for the nationals.
- a national company or organization.
- nation + -al1 1590–1600
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