easy
People across the nation watched the celebration.
What does Nation mean?
A nation is a country and its people, or a people connected by a shared national identity.
Dictionary definition
A country considered together with its people, or a community whose members share a national identity, history, culture, language, traditions, or ancestry. Nation is also used in the formal names of many Indigenous peoples and governments.
Example sentences
Nation in a sentence
easy
Canada is a nation with many languages and cultures.
medium
A nation can share an identity even when its people live in more than one country.
medium
One country may be home to several nations and cultural communities.
hard
Representatives of the Haida Nation met with government leaders.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Nation
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
Which statement best explains nation?
Nation may focus on a political country, its people, or a community joined by national identity.
Practice 2
Which sentence uses nation to emphasize shared identity rather than one territory?
The shared traditions and life across countries show the identity-based meaning.
Practice 3
Complete the sentence: The agreement involved leaders from several ____.
The plural noun nations names several countries or national communities.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Nation
Voice settings
Sounds like
nay · shun · strongest beat: nay
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordNation.
Partnoun.
MeaningNation means A nation is a country and its people, or a people connected by a shared national identity.
ExampleExample: People across the nation watched the celebration.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- nay · shun
- Strongest beat
- nay
- Ending
- shun
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on nay.
Your turn
Say Nation
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Synonyms
Words like Nation
Antonym review
Does Nation have an opposite?
Nation has no direct opposite. Country, state, people, and region describe overlapping but different political or social ideas.
Synonym practice
Want to practice nation synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "A country can have many lakes and forests," then compare close word choices. Practice nation synonyms.
Word family
Nation word family
Base word
nation
noun
nations
More than one nation.
adjective
national
Related to a whole nation; as a noun, a citizen or official member of a country.
adverb
nationally
Across or in relation to a whole nation.
noun
nationality
Legal membership in a nation or a person’s national identity, depending on context.
adjective
international
Involving two or more nations.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Nation
Hint for students
Ask whether the sentence emphasizes a political country and its people or a community connected by shared national identity.
Common mix-up
Nation, country, and state often overlap, but they are not always interchangeable. Nation can emphasize a people and identity without requiring one independent territory.
Try it in class or at home
Have students sort descriptions into country, nation, both, or not enough information. Require each choice to cite a clue about territory, government, people, or shared identity.
Teacher prompt
Use the model sentence “One country can include several nations.” Ask students why country and nation overlap without always naming the same thing.
Word Wheels
Practice Nation with a Word Wheel
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Word Wheel
Practice with the Geography & Places Words Wheel
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Word Wheel
Practice with the School Words Wheel
This word is part of WordHive's researched School Words collection. Spin the complete wheel to review meanings, discuss classroom connections, and practice using school vocabulary in sentences.
Learning activities
Practice Nation and explore more word games
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Sentence Builder
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