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
W. B. Yeats2
: 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.
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
Photo courtesy of Jun’s More than 200 nationalities call Dubai home, and its dynamic dining scene reflects its multiculturalism.
—Nicola Chilton, AFAR Media, 28 Mar. 2025
On Sunday, traders of every nationality were already scouring its labyrinthine International Trade City, colloquially known as simply Yiwu Market, for samples of festive baubles and tinsel.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
The tourists were of nationalities including Russia, India, Norway and Sweden, Reuters said.
—George Petras, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
Every passenger behaves predictably, regardless of age, nationality, and other classic marketing variables.
—Benjamin Voyer, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationality
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Nicola Chilton, AFAR Media, 28 Mar. 2025
On Sunday, traders of every nationality were already scouring its labyrinthine International Trade City, colloquially known as simply Yiwu Market, for samples of festive baubles and tinsel.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
The tourists were of nationalities including Russia, India, Norway and Sweden, Reuters said.
—George Petras, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
Every passenger behaves predictably, regardless of age, nationality, and other classic marketing variables.
—Benjamin Voyer, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationality
Cite this Entry
“Nationality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationality. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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