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
Italian American Social Club of Central Florida: All nationalities are welcome.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025
No newborn has a religion, nationality, or ethnicity.
—Dr. Rami Kaminski, Time, 18 June 2025
But now, Trump’s immigration policies are largely targeting these nationalities, which have been large sources of migration to the United States in recent years.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025
By targeting people based on their race, religion, or nationality, from countries with predominantly Black, Brown and Muslim-majority populations, this blanket ban constitutes racial discrimination under international human rights law.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationality
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Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025
No newborn has a religion, nationality, or ethnicity.
—Dr. Rami Kaminski, Time, 18 June 2025
But now, Trump’s immigration policies are largely targeting these nationalities, which have been large sources of migration to the United States in recent years.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025
By targeting people based on their race, religion, or nationality, from countries with predominantly Black, Brown and Muslim-majority populations, this blanket ban constitutes racial discrimination under international human rights law.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 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 27 Jun. 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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