nation
NAY-shuhn
Nation (noun) means a large group of people who share a common history, culture, language, or identity, often but not always tied to a specific country. Example: “The Welsh nation is proud of its language, its music and its traditions.”
noun
1
A large group of people who share a common history, culture, language, or identity, often but not always tied to a specific country.
"The Welsh nation is proud of its language, its music and its traditions."
"The nation came together to mourn the loss of the beloved leader."
"Many Indigenous nations in North America govern their own territories."
2
A country, especially as a political and territorial unit.
"Every nation in the tournament sent its best players to compete."
"The island nation relies on fishing and tourism to support its people."
"Delegates from over a hundred nations attended the climate summit."
How to use nation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA country, or a people bound together by shared identity, even when they don't all live within one country's borders.
Common mistake
A "nation" isn't always the same as a "state" — a nation is about shared identity or culture, while a state is a formal political entity, which is why terms like "stateless nation" exist.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
the nation state
across the nation
a proud nation
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Word forms
- Plural
- nations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The Welsh _____ is proud of its language, its music and its traditions.
Etymology
From Latin nātiō, "birth, race, people," ultimately from nāscor, "to be born" — the same root behind "native" and "natal."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for nation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for nation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “nation” mean?
The word “nation” means a large group of people who share a common history, culture, language, or identity, often but not always tied to a specific country. In plain terms, a country, or a people bound together by shared identity, even when they don't all live within one country's borders.
How do you pronounce “nation”?
“Nation” is pronounced NAY-shuhn (/ˈneɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “nation” in a sentence?
Here is “nation” used in a sentence: “The nation came together to mourn the loss of the beloved leader.”
What part of speech is “nation”?
“Nation” is a noun.
Where does the word “nation” come from?
The word “nation” comes from Latin. From Latin nātiō, "birth, race, people," ultimately from nāscor, "to be born" — the same root behind "native" and "natal.".
Is “nation” a common word?
“Nation” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “nation” have?
“Nation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large group of people who share a common history, culture, language, or identity, often but not always tied to a specific country.
What is the difference between a nation and a country?
A country is mainly a political and geographic unit — a territory with borders, a government, and a place on the map. A nation is the people themselves, bound by shared history, culture, language, or identity. The two often coincide, but not always: one country can contain several nations, and a nation can spread across borders.
What is the difference between a nation and a state?
In political terms, a 'state' is a sovereign entity with a government, territory, and authority — closer in meaning to 'country.' A 'nation' refers to a people united by identity and culture. When the two align, we call the result a 'nation-state.' So a state is a structure, while a nation is a community of people.
Can a nation exist without a country?
Yes. A nation is defined by shared identity rather than by owning territory, so 'stateless nations' exist — peoples with a strong common culture and history who have no country of their own. This is why 'nation' can describe a community that is spread across several states or lacks recognised borders altogether.
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