1 N‑COUNT A nation is an individual country considered together with its social and political structures. □ Such policies would require unprecedented cooperation between nations. □ …Nigeria, by far the most populous of African nations.
2 N‑SING The nation is sometimes used to refer to all the people who live in a particular country. [JOURNALISM ] □ It was a story that touched the nation's heart. COLLOCATIONS nation NOUN
1
noun + nation : eurozone, member, sovereign; host; island
adjective + nation : developing, industrial, populous, rich; African, Arab, European, Western; footballing
verb + nation : lead, represent
2
adjective + nation : entire, whole
verb + nation : divide, unite; grip, shock SYNONYMS nation NOUN 1
country: Indonesia is the fifth most populous country in the world.
state: Mexico is a secular state.
kingdom: The kingdom's power declined.
land: …this land of free speech.
na|tion|al ◆◆◆ /næ ʃən ə l/ (nationals )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] National means relating to the whole of a country or nation rather than to part of it or to other nations. □ Ruling parties have lost ground in national and local elections. □ …major national and international issues. ● na|tion|al|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ …a nationally televised speech. □ Duncan Campbell is nationally known for his investigative work.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] National means typical of the people or customs of a particular country or nation. □ …the national characteristics and history of the country. □ Baseball is the national pastime.
3 N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] You can refer to someone who is legally a citizen of a country as a national of that country. □ …a Sri-Lankan-born British national.
na |tion|al a n|them (national anthems ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A national anthem is a nation's official song which is played or sung on public occasions.
Na |tion|al Cur|ri cu|lum N‑PROPER The National Curriculum is the course of study that most school pupils in England and Wales are meant to follow between the ages of 5 and 16.
na |tion|al go v|ern|ment (national governments ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A national government is a government with members from more than one political party, especially one that is formed during a crisis. [mainly BRIT ]
Na |tion|al Gua rd (National Guards ) N‑COUNT In the United States, the National Guard is a military force within an individual state, which can become part of the national army if there is a war or emergency. □ …the leader of the Arkansas National Guard.
Na |tion|al Gua rds|man (National Guardsmen ) N‑COUNT A National Guardsman is a member of the National Guard in the United States.
Na |tion|al Hea lth Ser|vice N‑PROPER In Britain, the National Health Service is the state system for providing medical care. It is paid for by taxes. □ An increasing number of these treatments are now available on the National Health Service.
na |tion|al in|su r|ance N‑UNCOUNT In Britain, national insurance is the state system of paying money to people who are ill, unemployed, or retired. It is financed by money that the government collects from people who work, or from their employers. [BUSINESS ]
na|tion|al|ise /næ ʃənəla I z/ → see nationalize
na|tion|al|ism /næ ʃənəl I zəm/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Nationalism is the desire for political independence of people who feel they are historically or culturally a separate group within a country. □ …the rising tide of nationalism.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to a person's great love for their nation as nationalism . It is often associated with the belief that a particular nation is better than any other nation, and in this case is often used showing disapproval. □ This kind of fierce nationalism is a powerful and potentially volatile force.
na|tion|al|ist ◆◇◇ /næ ʃənəl I st/ (nationalists )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Nationalist means connected with the desire of a group of people within a country for political independence. □ The crisis has set off a wave of nationalist feelings in Quebec. ● N‑COUNT A nationalist is someone with nationalist views. □ …demands by nationalists for an independent state.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Nationalist means connected with a person's great love for their nation. It is often associated with the belief that their nation is better than any other nation, and in this case is often used showing disapproval. □ Political life has been infected by growing nationalist sentiment. ● N‑COUNT A nationalist is someone with nationalist views. □ …the small band of nationalists who reject imported American culture and Western-style politics.
na|tion|al|is|tic /næ ʃənəl I st I k/ ADJ If you describe someone as nationalistic , you mean they are very proud of their nation. They also often believe that their nation is better than any other nation, and in this case it is often used showing disapproval. □ …the nationalistic pride of the Catalan people.
na|tion|al|ity /næ ʃənæ l I ti/ (nationalities )
1 N‑VAR If you have the nationality of a particular country, you were born there or have the legal right to be a citizen. □ The crew are of different nationalities and have no common language.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to people who have the same racial origins as a nationality , especially when they do not have their own independent country. □ The poor of many nationalities struggle for survival.
na|tion|al|ize /næ ʃənəla I z/ (nationalizes , nationalizing , nationalized ) in BRIT, also use nationalise VERB If a government nationalizes a private company or industry, that company or industry becomes owned by the state and controlled by the government. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] He introduced legislation to nationalize the country's banking and financial systems. ● na|tion|ali|za|tion /næ ʃənəla I ze I ʃ ə n/ (nationalizations ) N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the campaign for the nationalization of the coal mines. □ The steel workers were relatively indifferent to the issue of nationalization.