nationhood

noun

na·​tion·​hood ˈnā-shən-ˌhu̇d 

1

: nationality sense 1a

2

: nationality sense 3

3

: nationality sense 5

Examples of nationhood in a Sentence

the early days of U.S. nationhood

The colonists showed a strong desire for nationhood.

Recent Examples on the Web

There had been expectations the revisions would codify South Korea as a permanent enemy and remove references to shared nationhood. —ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026

Formal provisions for the exchange of prisoners was not agreed upon until the summer of 1862, delayed by the Union’s reluctance to take any action that implied recognition of Confederate nationhood. —Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026

Pearl explores the relationship between cultural prizes and ideas of nationhood, as well as imposter syndrome and external validation, like MFAs, literary awards, and being seen writing in coffeeshops by and with other writers. —Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026

There are all sorts of problems with basing one’s idea of nationhood, even loosely, on the case of Israel. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nationhood

• adulthood
• babyhood
• brotherhood
• cottonwood
• fatherhood
• firewood
• fuelwood
• hardihood
• ironwood
• leatherwood
• likelihood
• livelihood