international

1 of 3

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 3

noun (1)

: one that is international

especially : an organization of international scope

internationality

3 of 3

noun (2)

in·​ter·​na·​tion·​al·​i·​ty

-lətē, 

-i

: the quality or state of being international

internationality of the use of scientific language

—Otto Neurath

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

Meanwhile, Burberry unveiled a hyper-British, globally resonant campaign, A Good Sport, leaning on a cast of national and international names. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 16 July 2026

Babak Dehghanpisheh Babak Dehghanpisheh is an NBC News Digital international editor based in New York. — Abigail Williams, NBC news, 16 July 2026

Noun

The England international was instead pictured on a training bike at Manchester City, with his loan move having expired at the start of the month. — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 14 July 2026

The two teams begin a three-match series of one-day internationals in Birmingham on Tuesday. — ABC News, 11 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

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
• nonrational
• 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