First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
nation
noun na·tion \ˈnā-shən\
: a large area of land that is controlled by its own government
the nation : the people who live in a nation
Nation : a tribe of Native Americans or a group of Native American tribes that share the same history, traditions, or language
Full Definition of NATION
1
a (1) : nationality 5a (2) : a politically organized nationality (3) : a non-Jewish nationality <why do the nations conspire — Psalms 2:1 (Revised Standard Version)> b : a community of people composed of one or more nationalities and possessing a more or less defined territory and government c : a territorial division containing a body of people of one or more nationalities and usually characterized by relatively large size and independent status
2
archaic : group, aggregation
3
: a tribe or federation of tribes (as of American Indians)
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Origin of NATION
Middle English nacioun, from Anglo-French naciun, from Latin nation-, natio birth, race, nation, from nasci to be born; akin to Latin gignere to beget — more at kin
Related to NATION
- Synonyms
- commonwealth, country, land, sovereignty (also sovranty), state
Other Government and Politics Terms
Nation
biographical name Na·tion \ˈnā-shən\
Definition of NATION
Car*ry \ˈka-rē\ Amelia 1846–1911 née Moore Am. temperance agitator
NATIONS Defined for Kids
nation
noun na·tion \ˈnā-shən\
Definition of NATION for Kids
1
: country 1 <China is a nation I'd like to visit.>
2
: a community of people made up of one or more nationalities usually with its own territory and government <… here is a race that the whole nation is clamoring for … — Walter Farley, The Black Stallion>
3
: nationality 3
Word Root of NATION
The Latin word nāscī, meaning “to be born,” and its form nātus give us the roots nat and nai. Words from the Latin nāscī have something to do with being born. When someone is native to a particular place, she or he was born there. A nation, or country, is a place where people are born. Anyone naive has a lack of knowledge and experience as if he or she was only recently born.
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