na·tion·al
ˈna-sh(ə-)nəl 
1
: of or relating to a nation
national boundaries
the national flag
2
3
: comprising or characteristic of a nationality
his national accent was plainly audible—
Elinor Wylie
Elinor Wylie4
: belonging to or maintained by the federal government
the National Museum of American History
5
: of, relating to, or being a coalition (see coalition sense 2) government formed by most or all major political parties usually in a crisis
nationally
adverb
1
: one that owes allegiance to or is under the protection of a nation without regard to the more formal status of citizen or subject
2
: a competition that is national in scope
—usually used in plural
Examples of national in a Sentence
Adjective
She won the national championship last year.
His test scores were higher than the national average.
Doing well in the Olympics is a matter of national pride.
Baseball is called America's national pastime.
The game was shown on national television.
Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
the National Museum of Art
Noun
She's a Mexican national now working in the United States.
The U.S. Nationals will be held in New York City this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 June 2025
The national narrative doesn't support the idea that Russell Wilson could thrive with the New York Giants.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025
Mehran Makari Saheli, was one of 11 Iranian nationals arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a 48-hour period in eight states, according to a press release from the Department of Homeland Security.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for national
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Adjective
While the loaded Eagles fell short of their goal of a national championship this year, Hagens scored his biggest goal of the season in the NCAA regionals when BC was locked in a 0-0 game late in the third period against upstart Bentley.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 June 2025
The national narrative doesn't support the idea that Russell Wilson could thrive with the New York Giants.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Noun
The Trump administration is putting an end to Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status designation, dealing yet another devastating blow to roughly a half-million Haitian nationals, some of whom have lived in the United States for more than a decade.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025
Mehran Makari Saheli, was one of 11 Iranian nationals arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a 48-hour period in eight states, according to a press release from the Department of Homeland Security.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for national
Cite this Entry
“National.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/national. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
national
1 of 2 adjective
na·tion·al
ˈnash-nəl
-ən-ᵊl
1
: of or relating to a nation
national elections
2
: belonging to or maintained by the federal government
national cemeteries
nationally
adverb
-ē
national
2 of 2 noun1
: a person who owes allegiance to or is under the protection of a nation
2
: a competition that is national in scope
—usually used in plural
qualified for the figure skating nationals
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