nations
NAY-shuhnz/ˈneɪʃənz/
- 1Plural of nation.
Several wealthy nations pledged funds to fight the disease.
Trade between the neighboring nations grew rapidly last decade.
Note
Nothing irregular happens here: the plural adds a plain -s and takes a plural verb (the nations are meeting). It carries most meanings of the singular. In diplomatic talk it means sovereign states, as in the United Nations, and in North America it can mean Indigenous peoples with recognized territories. Careful writers avoid using it loosely as a casual synonym for countries.
nations is a form of nation
nation, noun: A sovereign state; more loosely, any country. Full entry
- Forms
- nationnations plural
- Spelling
- nation → nations: add -s
- Sound
- The ending sounds like /z/.
Use it in a sentence
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