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
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
Paul Berman4
dated
: loyalty and devotion to a nation
… a rekindled spirit of nationality, pride, and yearning for unity …—Michael Kilian
Michael Kilian5
dated
: political independence or existence as a separate nation
Recognition of Ireland's nationality was felt to be deeply desired …—Alan O'Day
Alan O'DayExamples 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
Workers were demanding salary increases, protection against subcontracting and job loss through automation, and were refusing to comply with FIFA’s request to collect sensitive private information such as nationality and home addresses.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
This year, the class of 2,500 interns comes from more than 500 universities, includes over 90 nationalities, and speaks 70-plus languages.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 9 June 2026
The resistance to Jokic was never really about nationality.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Its academy features more than 600 players of more than 80 nationalities.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nationality
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
This year, the class of 2,500 interns comes from more than 500 universities, includes over 90 nationalities, and speaks 70-plus languages.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 9 June 2026
The resistance to Jokic was never really about nationality.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Its academy features more than 600 players of more than 80 nationalities.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nationality
Cite this Entry
“Nationality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationality. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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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