foreign affairs

plural noun

: matters having to do with international relations and with the interests of the home country in foreign countries compare internal affairs

Examples of foreign affairs in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The rare moves, which often happen only during times of conflict, could create new foreign affairs headaches, even as Republicans laud the plans. — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 6 Aug. 2026

Félix Plasencia, the country’s foreign affairs minister, made the announcement in a statement. — ABC News, 25 July 2026

Chinese ministry of foreign affairs did not respond to CNBC's request for comments. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 July 2026

Elizabeth Shackelford is a senior adviser with the Institute for Global Affairs at Eurasia Group and a foreign affairs columnist for the Chicago Tribune. — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foreign affairs

• concessionaires
• affaires
• armchairs
• compares
• crosshairs
• declares
• despairs
• downstairs
• forbears
• forebears
• housewares
• impairs