Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory: A "nation" refers to a community of people who share a collective identity, often within a defined geographical area.
   • A politically organized body of people under a single government; a sovereign state: In political terms, a "nation" is a country or state with its own government and defined borders.
   • A federation of tribes (especially Native American tribes): Historically used to describe a confederation of indigenous tribes sharing a common identity.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The president addressed the entire nation on television.
  • The treaty was signed by several European nations.
  • The Navajo Nation is the largest Native American tribe in the United States.

Advanced Usage

• "nation-state": A sovereign state whose citizens or subjects are relatively homogeneous in factors such as language or common descent.
  • The concept of the modern nation-state emerged in Europe.
• "nation-building": The process of constructing or structuring a national identity using the power of the state.
  • The post-war period was focused on nation-building.
• "a nation of": Used to describe a country characterized by a particular quality or group of people.
  • America is often called a nation of immigrants.

Variants and Related Words

• National (adj): Relating to or characteristic of a nation; common to a whole nation.
  • The national anthem was played.
• Nationality (n): The status of belonging to a particular nation.
  • What is your nationality?
• Nationalism (n): Identification with one's own nation and support for its interests.
  • The movement was fueled by strong nationalism.
• International (adj): Existing, occurring, or carried on between nations.
  • International trade agreements.

Synonyms

• Country: A nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory.
• State: A politically organized community under one government.
• People: The collective body of persons constituting a community, tribe, or race.
• Land: A country or region.

Related Phrases

• "the law of the nation": The legal system or constitution of a country.
  • He swore to uphold the law of the nation.
• "across the nation": Throughout the entire country.
  • Protests occurred across the nation.

Related Idioms

• "One nation under God": A phrase expressing unity, often used in patriotic contexts.
  • The pledge describes America as "one nation under God."
• "A nation divided": A country deeply split, especially on political or social issues.
  • The civil war left a nation divided.

Noun

1. a federation of tribes (especially Native American tribes)
   • the Shawnee nation
2. United States prohibitionist who raided saloons and destroyed bottles of liquor with a hatchet (1846-1911)
3. the people who live in a nation or country
   • a statement that sums up the nation's mood
   • the news was announced to the nation
   • the whole country worshipped him
4. a politically organized body of people under a single government
   • the state has elected a new president
   • African nations
   • students who had come to the nation's capitol
   • the country's largest manufacturer
   • an industrialized land