DictionaryAI

national

SayNASH-uh-nuhl/ˈnæʃ.(ə).n(ə)l/UK/ˈnaʃ.(ə).n(ə)l/

Noun pluralnationals

7 meanings of national

Practice

  1. 1
    countrywideadjective
    Having to do with a whole country, or shared by everyone in it.

    Like something that covers the whole map, not just one town.

    A national holiday means almost everyone gets the day off.

    The flooding turned into a national problem that touched every state.

    Similarnationwide, countrywide

    Oppositelocal, regional

    Note
  2. 2
    country's ownadjective
    Belonging to or typical of one particular country, setting it apart from others, such as its food or clothing.

    Like a recipe that belongs to just one family kitchen.

    Sushi is often called Japan's national dish.

    Each team waved its national flag at the opening parade.

    UsageOften after words like Japan's or our: our national flag.

    Note
  3. 3
    state-runadjective
    Owned, run or paid for by the government of a whole country, not by a local government or a business.

    Entry to the national museum is free because the government pays for it.

    Workers at the national railway went on strike for higher pay.

    Similarstate, public, state-owned

    Oppositeprivate, regional, local

  4. 4
    citizennouncountable
    A person who legally belongs to a certain country, usually as a citizen.

    He is a French national working in Germany.

    All foreign nationals need a visa to stay here.

    UsageUsually after a country word: a French national.

  5. 5
    nouncountableusually plural
    A big contest where people from all over the country compete.

    She won a gold medal at the gymnastics nationals last year.

    The whole team is training hard for the nationals.

    UsageWe say qualify for nationals or win at the nationals.

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    newspapernouncountable
    A newspaper read all over the country, not just in one area.

    Her photo of the flood was printed in several of the nationals.

    All the nationals covered the election results on their front pages.

    UsageUsually the nationals. For one paper, people usually say a national newspaper.

    Note
  2. 7
    adjectivearchaic
    Proud of and loyal to one's own country.
    ‘Come, come, don't deny it: they are really national. Why, now, the Adams are as liberal-minded men as any in the world: but, I don't know how it is, all their workmen are Scotch.’
    1791, James Boswell, Life of JohnsonHere, national means loyal to and proud of their own country.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

From the word "nation" plus the ending "-al". It also came through Middle French "national".

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts