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

SeaWorld San Antonio welcomed seven more beluga whales on Tuesday, the latest development in the international effort to relocate dozens of the mammals from a shuttered Canadian theme park. — Jared Ochacher, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

His work of fiction, SUM, is an international bestseller published in 33 languages and turned into two operas. — Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026

Noun

The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, revealed Messi’s contribution on X, thanking the Argentina international. — Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

As a seasoned international that can play on either flank, Flick views Cancelo as essential to his sporting project where conquering Europe is of paramount importance. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 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