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

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

Na·tion

biographical name \ˈnā-shən\

Definition of NATION

Car*ry \ˈka-rē\ Amelia 1846–1911 née Moore Am. temperance agitator

Rhymes with NATION

Asian, Haitian, nation, ration, station, Thracian

nation

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

People whose common identity creates a psychological bond and a political community. Their political identity usually comprises such characteristics as a common language, culture, ethnicity, and history. More than one nation may comprise a state, but the terms nation, state, and country are often used interchangeably. A nation-state is a state populated primarily by the people of one nationality.