# Nat

/ˈnæt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nat
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. computer networking

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

Stands for Network Address Translation. It is a way for a router to share one internet connection with many devices.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Network Address Translation. A method of remapping one IP address space into another by modifying network address information in the IP header of packets.

- If your NAT is set to strict, you might have trouble connecting to other players online.
- The administrator configured the NAT on the perimeter router to allow multiple internal hosts to access the internet using a single public IP address.

Usage: Usually used as an uncountable noun or as a modifier before another noun like 'firewall' or 'type'.

### 3. political party member

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · British English · Dialect

a member or supporter of a National Party, such as in Scotland, Australia, or New Zealand.

For teachers: a member or supporter of a political party with 'National' in its name, particularly in Commonwealth countries.

- The local Nats are campaigning hard before the upcoming election.
- Political commentators noted that the Nats were losing ground in rural electorates where they had traditionally held a comfortable majority.

Teaching tip: This term is highly regional and informal; it is most common in Scotland (referring to the SNP) or New Zealand.

### 4. gaming/dice rolls

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

the number shown on a die before you add any extra points or bonuses.

For teachers: a clipping of 'natural'; refers to the raw number rolled on a die before modifiers are applied.

- I rolled a nat 20, so my character automatically succeeded at the task.
- The game master ruled that only a nat 20 would be sufficient to bypass the dragon's high defensive rating.

Usage: Almost always followed by a number, such as 'nat 1' or 'nat 20'.

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