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
But when a Brazilian pastor is called to counsel a politician, he is immediately labelled ‘corrupt,’ as if Heaven changes its mind depending on the nationality of the person preaching.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
Of the assessed programs, 58% of programs are open to any nationality, while just under a quarter target non-EU/EEA/Swiss.
—Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Jamaican media outlet the Jamaican Observer reported that Ricketts, a seven-time national champion, had rejected three offers (two in 2022 and one in 2019) to switch nationality from unnamed European and Asian countries.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Koreans are rarely caught up in immigration enforcement compared to other nationalities.
—Russ Bynum, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationality
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Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
Of the assessed programs, 58% of programs are open to any nationality, while just under a quarter target non-EU/EEA/Swiss.
—Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Jamaican media outlet the Jamaican Observer reported that Ricketts, a seven-time national champion, had rejected three offers (two in 2022 and one in 2019) to switch nationality from unnamed European and Asian countries.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Koreans are rarely caught up in immigration enforcement compared to other nationalities.
—Russ Bynum, Fortune, 5 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 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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