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
From the 2002 through 2018 World Cups, the number of nationality switches hovered in the 70s and 80s for the 32-team tournament.
—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2026
However, significant exclusions for Americans abroad and mixed-nationality families pose a structural flaw if these accounts become central to future retirement policy, raising questions about their ultimate role.
—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
The scope of persecution eligible for asylum is generally limited to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion.
—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
2 July 2026
More restrictions followed, and eventually animosity toward new immigrants led to the passage of laws in the 1920s creating a quota system tied to nationality.
—
Albert Sun,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for nationality
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Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2026
However, significant exclusions for Americans abroad and mixed-nationality families pose a structural flaw if these accounts become central to future retirement policy, raising questions about their ultimate role.
—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
The scope of persecution eligible for asylum is generally limited to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion.
—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
2 July 2026
More restrictions followed, and eventually animosity toward new immigrants led to the passage of laws in the 1920s creating a quota system tied to nationality.
—
Albert Sun,
New York Times,
2 July 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 5 Jul. 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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