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
Managers appoint leadership groups these days, rather than having one individual knocking on their door, which is partly to ensure the dressing room is represented as a whole, taking in everything from different nationalities and cultures to all sorts of personalities.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The administration has already ended TPS for a number of nationalities, including Venezuela and Nicaragua.
—Miami Herald Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
She was granted French citizenship in November, eight months later, and the IOC approved her nationality change in December.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
And even our nationalities and our national identities have only a relative importance in light of a larger vision of what the kingdom of God is about.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nationality
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Stuart James, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The administration has already ended TPS for a number of nationalities, including Venezuela and Nicaragua.
—Miami Herald Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
She was granted French citizenship in November, eight months later, and the IOC approved her nationality change in December.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
And even our nationalities and our national identities have only a relative importance in light of a larger vision of what the kingdom of God is about.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 3 Feb. 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 11 Feb. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
