/ Dictionary / Index N national: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: na•tion•al Pronunciation: (nash'u-nl, nash'nul), [key] — adj. of, pertaining to, or maintained by a nation as an organized whole or independent political unit: national affairs. owned, preserved, or maintained by the federal government: a national wildlife refuge. peculiar or common to the whole people of a country: national customs. devoted to one's own nation, its interests, etc.; patriotic: to stir up national pride. nationalist. concerning or encompassing an entire nation: a national radio network. limited to one nation. —n. a citizen or subject of a particular nation who is entitled to its protection: U.S. nationals living abroad. Often,a national competition, tournament, or the like: We're invited to Minneapolis for the nationals. a national company or organization. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: national (Thesaurus) nation National Academy of Sciences Related Content Daily Word Quiz: crutiny Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language