nationality
noun
na·tion·al·i·ty
ˌna-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 
ˌnash-ˈna-
plural nationalities
1
: national character
the nationality of Ireland is in her songs and in her stories, and in her chronicles and in her tradition—
W. B. Yeats
W. B. Yeats2
: loyalty and devotion to a nation
3
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
b
: membership in a particular nation
Vietnamese nationality
4
: political independence or existence as a separate nation
5
a
: 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.
b
: an ethnic group constituting one element of a larger unit (such as a nation)
The country is home to five nationalities.
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
Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was born in Chicago and has dual Peruvian-American nationality after spending much of his career working there.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, told reporters on Friday that Leo’s nationality was irrelevant in the decision making process.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
But despite his nationality and the American flags waving across Vatican City upon hearing the news, Pope Leo did not speak in his native language or mention the United States during his first address, according to a Vatican News video.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
Francis consistently reaffirmed the importance of diversity, dismissing the idea that nationality or geography should determine a person's standing within the Catholic Church.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationality
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Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, told reporters on Friday that Leo’s nationality was irrelevant in the decision making process.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
But despite his nationality and the American flags waving across Vatican City upon hearing the news, Pope Leo did not speak in his native language or mention the United States during his first address, according to a Vatican News video.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
Francis consistently reaffirmed the importance of diversity, dismissing the idea that nationality or geography should determine a person's standing within the Catholic Church.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationality
Cite this Entry
“Nationality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationality. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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