ENGLISH
REFERENCE

nation

n. countable
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈneɪʃən// UK //nˈeɪʃən// na·tion Archaic Dialect General-service Humorous Informal

n. a large group of people who live in the same country and share the same government, history, or language.

n. a large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory.


SIMPLE

The whole nation watched the final game on television.

CONTEXTUAL

The president addressed the nation to explain the new economic policies and call for unity.

COMPLEX

The treaty was designed to protect the sovereignty of each nation while encouraging cross-border trade and cultural exchange throughout the region.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English nacioun, nacion, from Old French nacion, from Latin nātiōnem, accusative of nātiō (“nation”). Displaced native Old English þēod.

Etymology 2

Short for damnation or tarnation.

Usage

Commonly used with the definite article 'the' when referring to the people of a specific country collectively.

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