adj · noun · 17 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK:/ˈnaʃ.ə.nəl/
UK:[ˈnaʃ.ə.nɫ̩]
UK:/ˈnaʃ.n̩əl/
UK:[ˈnaʃ.n̩ɫ̩]
US:/ˈnæʃ.ə.nəl/
US:[ˈnæʃ.ə.nɫ̩]
US:/ˈnæʃ.n̩əl/
US:[ˈnæʃ.n̩ɫ̩]
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -æʃənəl
CMU ARPABET:N AE1 SH AH0 N AH0 L
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:N AE1 SH N AH0 L
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Pertaining to a nation or country, especially as a whole; affecting, shared by, or existing throughout all of a nation; the state.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
a national assembly · on the front page of every national newspaper
Import tariffs were raised for the national interest.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Belonging to or characteristic of a specific nation or country, as opposed to others.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
this is their national dish · our national tendency to laugh at the French
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Nationalistic; patriotic.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A subject of a nation.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The diplomats were advised not to interact with any foreign nationals except on official duty.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A tournament in which participants from all over the nation compete.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: plural-normally
Examples
After winning the regional tournament, the team advanced to the nationals.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
A national newspaper.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: plural-normally
Topics: journalism, media
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
Somebody born under the authority of a given country.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
A member of the National Party
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Australian, New-Zealand
Topics: government, politics
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
noun
Meaning 9
Clipping of New Zealand National Party
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract