international

1 of 2

adjective

in·​ter·​na·​tion·​al ˌin-tər-ˈna-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of, relating to, or affecting two or more nations

international trade

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a group or association having members in two or more nations

international movement

3

: active, known, or reaching beyond national boundaries

an international reputation

internationality

ˌin-tər-ˌna-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

internationally

ˌin-tər-ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-lē 

adverb

international

2 of 2

noun

: one that is international

especially : an organization of international scope

Synonyms

Adjective

• foreign
• multinational
• transnational

Examples of international in a Sentence

Adjective

an international association of chemists

She has achieved international fame.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This corner room offered the perfect view to keep watch over Main Street and the primary north-south international highway. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025

The Schichts managed to survive and thrive, building the company, merging with Unilever, founding a cinema, building international networks and even taking to the skies in airplane races. —Will Tizard, Variety, 25 Oct. 2025

Noun

With 225 titles and 137 premieres (including 104 Spanish, 29 world, three European and one international), the 70th Valladolid Festival, best known in Spain as the Seminci, stands as one of Europe’s most robust auteur showcases. —Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025

The France international attempted 11 shots, matching the second-highest tally by a player in the league since the start of 2018-19 (behind Salah’s 12 against Brighton & Hove Albion in March 2024). —Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1870, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing international

• international bitterness unit
• international date line
• international law
• international pitch
• international relations
• international unit
• the international date line

Rhymes for international

• multinational
• supranational
• binational
• irrational
• subnational
• transnational
• national
• rational

Kids Definition

international

1 of 2 adjective

in·​ter·​na·​tion·​al ˌint-ər-ˈnash-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

1

: of, relating to, affecting, or involving two or more nations

international trade

2

: active, known, or reaching beyond national boundaries

an international reputation

internationally

-ˈnash-nə-lē 

-ən-ᵊl-ē

adverb

international

2 of 2 noun

: an organization having branches in more than one country