international

1 of 2

adjective

in·​ter·​na·​tion·​al ˌin-tər-ˈna-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of, relating to, or affecting two or more nations

international trade

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a group or association having members in two or more nations

international movement

3

: active, known, or reaching beyond national boundaries

an international reputation

internationality

ˌin-tər-ˌna-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

internationally

ˌin-tər-ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-lē 

adverb

international

2 of 2

noun

: one that is international

especially : an organization of international scope

Synonyms

Adjective

• foreign
• multinational
• transnational

Examples of international in a Sentence

Adjective

an international association of chemists

She has achieved international fame.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The regime’s brutality was evident in incidents such as the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, where 69 unarmed protesters were killed by police, which, like in Gandhi’s Salt March, marked a turning point in international condemnation. —Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

There’s precedent for it in the NCAA, which provides limited opportunities for international students to capitalize on NIL while attending college in the U.S. —Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025

Noun

The England international has been key to Nottingham Forest’s Champions League challenge this season with Nuno Espirito Santo’s team currently ahead of City in the Premier League table. —Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025

That’s the conversation the Dominican Republic international is now in. —Beren Cross, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1870, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing international

• international bitterness unit
• international date line
• international law
• international pitch
• international relations
• international unit
• the international date line

Rhymes for international

• multinational
• supranational
• binational
• irrational
• subnational
• transnational
• national
• rational

Kids Definition

international

1 of 2 adjective

in·​ter·​na·​tion·​al ˌint-ər-ˈnash-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

1

: of, relating to, affecting, or involving two or more nations

international trade

2

: active, known, or reaching beyond national boundaries

an international reputation

internationally

-ˈnash-nə-lē 

-ən-ᵊl-ē

adverb

international

2 of 2 noun

: an organization having branches in more than one country