nation

na·tion

noun \ˈnā-shən\

Definition of NATION

1

a (1) : nationality 5a (2) : a politically organized nationality (3) : a non-Jewish nationality <why do the nations conspire — Psalms 2:1 (Revised Standard Version)> b : a community of people composed of one or more nationalities and possessing a more or less defined territory and government c : a territorial division containing a body of people of one or more nationalities and usually characterized by relatively large size and independent status

2

archaic : group, aggregation

3

: a tribe or federation of tribes (as of American Indians)

Examples of NATION

1. It's one of the richest nations in the world.
2. the largest state in the nation
3. The President will speak to the nation tonight.
4. The entire nation is celebrating the victory.

Origin of NATION

Middle English nacioun, from Anglo-French naciun, from Latin nation-, natio birth, race, nation, from nasci to be born; akin to Latin gignere to beget — more at kin

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to NATION

Synonyms: commonwealth, country, land, sovereignty (also sovranty), state

Related Words: city-state, microstate, ministate, nation-state; domain, dominion, empire, kingdom, realm, republic; duchy, dukedom, emirate, principality, seigniory (or seignory), sultanate; democracy, dictatorship, monarchy, monocracy, oligarchy, sovereign (also sovran), theocracy; client state, colony, condominium, dependency, mandate, province, settlement, soil, trust territory; fatherland, homeland, motherland; great power, power, sea power, superpower, world power; welfare state

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with NATION

Asian, Haitian, Nation, ration, station, Thracian