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
- It's one of the richest nations in the world.
- the largest state in the nation
- The President will speak to the nation tonight.
- 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
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
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