international

1 of 2

adjective

in·​ter·​na·​tion·​al ˌin-tər-ˈna-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of, relating to, or affecting two or more nations

international trade

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a group or association having members in two or more nations

international movement

3

: active, known, or reaching beyond national boundaries

an international reputation

internationality

ˌin-tər-ˌna-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

internationally

ˌin-tər-ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-lē 

adverb

international

2 of 2

noun

: one that is international

especially : an organization of international scope

Synonyms of international

Adjective

• foreign
• multinational
• transnational

Examples of international in a Sentence

Adjective

an international association of chemists

She has achieved international fame.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also called for Israel's sports teams to be suspended from international competition. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025

For Arsenal, the international break comes at a good time. —James McNicholas, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025

Noun

Last week, four Republic of Ireland internationals playing in the Women’s Super League in England, Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace) and Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), chose not to have the poppy on their team shirts. —Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025

The broadcast networks are planning extensive coverage on their streaming platforms, while the elections marked the first major news event since CNN debuted the All Access service, providing subscribers with feeds of the main network and CNN international that largely mirrors the linear channels. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1851, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing international

• international bitterness unit
• international date line
• international law
• international pitch
• international relations
• international unit
• the international date line

Rhymes for international

• multinational
• supranational
• binational
• irrational
• subnational
• transnational
• national
• rational

Kids Definition

international

1 of 2 adjective

in·​ter·​na·​tion·​al ˌint-ər-ˈnash-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

1

: of, relating to, affecting, or involving two or more nations

international trade

2

: active, known, or reaching beyond national boundaries

an international reputation

internationally

-ˈnash-nə-lē 

-ən-ᵊl-ē

adverb

international

2 of 2 noun

: an organization having branches in more than one country