nationality

noun

na·​tion·​al·​i·​ty ˌna-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

ˌnash-ˈna-

plural nationalities

1

a

: national status

specifically : a legal relationship involving allegiance on the part of an individual and usually protection on the part of the state

nationality bestowed by birth

Unlike the United States and some European countries, Japan grants nationality based on ancestry, not place of birth.

—Mari Yamaguchi

b

: membership in a particular nation

She's American, but her parents are of Nigerian nationality.

2

a

: an ethnic group constituting one element of a larger unit (such as a nation)

The country is home to five nationalities.

b

: a people having a common origin, tradition, and language and capable of forming or actually constituting a nation-state

The diverse nationalities of the Austro-Hungarian Empire desired independence.

3

dated : national character

… the intricate pleats and folds of the American nationality …

—Paul Berman

4

dated : loyalty and devotion to a nation

… a rekindled spirit of nationality, pride, and yearning for unity …

—Michael Kilian

5

dated : political independence or existence as a separate nation

Recognition of Ireland's nationality was felt to be deeply desired …

—Alan O'Day

Synonyms of nationality

• ethnicity
• nation

Examples of nationality in a Sentence

The country is home to five nationalities and seven languages.

people of all races and nationalities

She's American, but her parents are of Japanese nationality.

He has held French nationality for the past 20 years.

The university has students of over 50 nationalities.

Recent Examples on the Web

Torture is a crime under international law and can be prosecuted outside of the nation where the abuse occurred and regardless of the victims’ nationality. — Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Torture is a crime under international law, and it can be prosecuted outside the country where the abuse occurred and regardless of the victims' nationality. — Adam Reiss, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026

Donald Clarke, a professor at George Washington University School of Law and a specialist in Chinese law, pointed The Hill to a specific provision in Chinese law that says a person must be of Chinese nationality to take the bar exam. — Mallory Wilson, The Hill, 15 Oct. 2026

As part of orchestrating this project, Simon was also involved in securing visas for the various international performers, encountering in the process the uneven access to travel for cultural workers across classes, nationalities, and milieus. — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for nationality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criminality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• hospitality

Kids Definition

nationality

noun

na·​tion·​al·​i·​ty ˌnash-(ə-)ˈnal-ət-ē 

plural nationalities

1

: the fact or state of belonging to a nation

a person of French nationality

2

: political independence as a nation

3

: a people having a common beginning, tradition, or language