nationality

noun

na·​tion·​al·​i·​ty ˌna-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

ˌnash-ˈna-

plural nationalities

1

: national character

the nationality of Ireland is in her songs and in her stories, and in her chronicles and in her tradition

—W. B. Yeats

2

: loyalty and devotion to a nation

3

a

: national status

specifically : a legal relationship involving allegiance on the part of an individual and usually protection on the part of the state

nationality bestowed by birth

b

: membership in a particular nation

Vietnamese nationality

4

: political independence or existence as a separate nation

5

a

: a people having a common origin, tradition, and language and capable of forming or actually constituting a nation-state

The diverse nationalities of the Austro-Hungarian Empire desired independence.

b

: an ethnic group constituting one element of a larger unit (such as a nation)

The country is home to five nationalities.

Synonyms

• ethnicity
• nation
• race

Examples of nationality in a Sentence

The country is home to five nationalities and seven languages.

people of all races and nationalities

She's American, but her parents are of Japanese nationality.

He has held French nationality for the past 20 years.

The university has students of over 50 nationalities.

Recent Examples on the Web

Italian American Social Club of Central Florida: All nationalities are welcome. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2025

Two of the clients listed in the 20-page indictment were from Venezuela, while the nationality for the other three clients was not provided in the charges. —Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025

There are 100 people on tour, representing dozens of different nationalities. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2025

Birthright citizenship grants individuals born in a country the legal right to citizenship, regardless of their parents' nationality or immigration status. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nationality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criminality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• hospitality

Kids Definition

nationality

noun

na·​tion·​al·​i·​ty ˌnash-(ə-)ˈnal-ət-ē 

plural nationalities

1

: the fact or state of belonging to a nation

a person of French nationality

2

: political independence as a nation

3

: a people having a common beginning, tradition, or language