# nation

Pronunciation: say "NAY-shuhn" /ˈneɪʃən/

## Noun

1. A sovereign state; more loosely, any country.
   - Simple: A country that rules itself and is not controlled by any other country.
   - _The treaty was signed by twelve sovereign nations._
   - _A nation may join international organizations to coordinate trade and defense._
2. A historically formed, stable community of people united by a shared language, territory, economic life, ethnicity, or psychological character expressed in a common culture.
   - Simple: A large group of people joined by what they share, such as a language, homeland, history, or way of life.
   - _The Kurdish nation maintains a shared language and culture across several states._
   - _Historians trace how scattered tribes gradually became unified nations._
3. In North America, an Indigenous people or federation of peoples, and sometimes also the territory it governs.
   - Simple: A Native American or other Indigenous people of North America, or a group of them, and sometimes the land they govern.
   - _The Navajo Nation administers a territory larger than several states._
   - _Treaties between Native nations and the federal government still shape land rights today._
4. A community united by a common trait, especially a shared interest, rather than by history or origin. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: A group of people joined by a shared interest rather than by birth or place.
   - _The team's most loyal supporters proudly call themselves a nation._
   - _Sneaker collectors form a kind of nation united by a single obsession._

## Noun

5. A milder substitute for 'damnation,' used as an exclamation or curse. *(rare)*
   - Simple: A softer word for 'damnation,' used as a mild curse.
6. A great number or a great deal of something. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A very large amount or number of something.

## Other meanings

- (noun) An association of students organized according to the birthplace or ethnicity of its members.
- (adjective) Extreme or great; used as an intensifier before a noun.
- (adverb) Extremely; to a very high degree.

## Origin

**Meanings 1–4, 6** — This comes from Middle English "nacioun," borrowed from Old French "nacion," from Latin "natio" (nation). It displaced the native Old English word "theod."
**Meaning 5** — This is a shortened form of "damnation" or "tarnation."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/nation (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).