Definition

Noun: 1. An alliance or association established by agreement between multiple sovereign nations: A formal entity created through a treaty or other instrument of international law, with its own legal personality distinct from its member states. Its purpose is to facilitate cooperation on issues of common interest, such as peace, security, economic development, or social progress. 2. A permanent institution with a headquarters, membership, and administrative structure: It possesses a degree of organizational autonomy and operates according to its own charter or constitution, which defines its goals, rules, and decision-making procedures.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The United Nations is a prominent international organization focused on maintaining global peace and security.
  • The World Health Organization, as a specialized international organization, coordinates international public health efforts.
  • Countries often join an international organization to address transnational challenges like climate change or trade disputes collectively.

Advanced Usage

• "to be a member state of an international organization": to be a sovereign country that has formally joined and participates in the organization.
  • Switzerland became a member state of the United Nations in 2002.
• "to grant observer status to an international organization": to allow an entity to participate in some activities of another organization without full membership rights.
  • The UN General Assembly granted observer status to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Variants and Related Words

• Intergovernmental Organization (IGO) (n): A more precise technical term for an international organization composed primarily of sovereign states (e.g., NATO, the African Union).
• Supranational Organization (n): A specific type of international organization whose member states have ceded some degree of sovereign authority to its institutions, which can make binding decisions (e.g., the European Union has supranational elements).
• International body / institution (n): Often used synonymously with "international organization," though it can sometimes refer to a specific agency or committee within a larger organization.

Synonyms

• Multilateral institution: Emphasizes the involvement of multiple parties.
• Intergovernmental alliance: Highlights the agreement between governments.
• Global body: A less formal term suggesting worldwide scope.

Related Phrases

• Charter of an international organization: The foundational treaty that establishes the organization's purposes, principles, and structure.
  • The charter of the international organization outlines its core mandate.
• Headquarters of an international organization: The city or location where the main administrative offices are situated.
  • The headquarters of this international organization is in Geneva.

Related Idioms

• "To work through international organizations": To use the frameworks and channels provided by such organizations to achieve diplomatic or policy goals.
  • The crisis was resolved by working through established international organizations.

Noun

1. an international alliance involving many different countries