1
a(1)
: nationality sense 5a
three Slav peoples … forged into a Yugoslavia without really fusing into a Yugoslav nation—
Hans Kohn
Hans Kohn
(2)
: a politically organized nationality
(3)
in the Bible
: a non-Jewish nationality
why do the nations conspire—Psalms 2:1 (Revised Standard Version)
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
Canada is a nation with a written constitution—B. K. Sandwell
B. K. Sandwell
c
: a territorial division containing a body of people of one or more nationalities and usually characterized by relatively large size and independent status
a nation of vast size with a small population—Mary K. Hammond
Mary K. Hammond2
archaic
: group, aggregation
3
: a tribe or federation of tribes (as of American Indians)
the Seminole Nation in Oklahoma
Examples of nation in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Trump administration’s new tariffs, including a 10% base tariff on most nations, have led to stock market declines and production interruptions, prompting many businesses to reassess hiring and financial health.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Rather, given Cascadian ecology—the primary focus of Carr’s images—understandings of her imaginative creations might also be constructed irrespective of nation: an artist seen primarily in relation to her place, itself her subject.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 26 Apr. 2025
Although Pakistan has denied involvement, India retaliated by downgrading ties between the two nations, shutting down a key border crossing, canceling visas of Pakistani nationals and suspending its participation in a crucial water-sharing treaty.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
While China has been resolute in opposing American economic pressures, imposing retaliatory tariffs of its own on American goods alongside export controls on rare earths, rhetoric between the two nations has softened in recent days.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Rather, given Cascadian ecology—the primary focus of Carr’s images—understandings of her imaginative creations might also be constructed irrespective of nation: an artist seen primarily in relation to her place, itself her subject.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 26 Apr. 2025
Although Pakistan has denied involvement, India retaliated by downgrading ties between the two nations, shutting down a key border crossing, canceling visas of Pakistani nationals and suspending its participation in a crucial water-sharing treaty.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
While China has been resolute in opposing American economic pressures, imposing retaliatory tariffs of its own on American goods alongside export controls on rare earths, rhetoric between the two nations has softened in recent days.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nation
Cite this Entry
“Nation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nation. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nation
noun
na·tion
ˈnā-shən 
2
: a community of people composed of one or more nationalities usually with its own territory and government
3
: the territory of a nation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share