# nationals

/ˈnæʃənəɫz/ (US) · /nˈæʃənəlz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nationals
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. citizens of a country

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

people who are citizens of a specific country.

For teachers: citizens or subjects of a particular nation, often used in legal or official contexts regarding residency or travel.

- The embassy is responsible for helping its own nationals when they are abroad.
- The treaty ensures that foreign nationals residing within the territory are granted the same legal protections as local citizens.

Usage: Usually plural; often preceded by a country name or the adjective 'foreign'.

### 2. sports competition

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a major sports competition where the best players in a country compete.

For teachers: a nationwide sporting championship or tournament involving competitors from across a single country.

- She practiced every day because she wanted to win the swimming nationals.
- After winning the regional qualifiers, the team traveled to the capital to compete in the nationals against the country's top-ranked athletes.

Usage: Usually plural; often functions as a shorthand for 'national championships'.

## Examples

- The embassy helps its nationals during emergencies abroad.
- The government arranged a special flight to evacuate its nationals from the conflict zone.
- International law dictates the protections a state must afford to foreign nationals residing within its borders, ensuring they are treated according to established humanitarian standards.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.