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

Advertisement There has been concern from international organizations about hundreds of Palestinians killed while collecting aid from distribution sites set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). —Callum Sutherland, Time, 7 July 2025

This summer, however, the usual flow of international visitors has noticeably slowed, a trend Carney links to the shift in U.S. politics. —Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 7 July 2025

Noun

The former Canada international arrived armed with 181 appearances for her national side and two Olympic bronze medals, but her coaching pedigree was not so well established. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 June 2025

Asian students had the highest second fall persistence rate at 89.6%, followed by white students (82.8%), internationals (76.4%), Hispanics (73.3%), Blacks (68.9%), Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (67.2%), and Native Americans (65.9%). —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 26 June 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