na ‧ tion S3 W2 /ˈneɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ nation , ↑ national , ↑ multinational , ↑ nationalism , ↑ nationalist , ↑ nationality , ↑ nationalization , ↑ nationhood , ↑ international , ↑ internationalism , ↑ internationalist , ↑ internationalization ; adjective : ↑ national , ↑ international , ↑ multinational , ↑ nationalist , ↑ nationalistic , nationalized, ↑ internationalist ; verb : ↑ nationalize , ↑ internationalize ; adverb : ↑ nationally , ↑ internationally ]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: French ; Origin: Latin natio , from natus , past participle of nasci 'to be born' ]
1 . a country, considered especially in relation to its people and its social or economic structure:
the President’s radio broadcast to the nation
an independent nation
the world’s leading industrial nations
2 . a large group of people of the same race and language:
the Cherokee nation
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ a great/powerful nation
The United States is the most powerful nation in the world.
▪ an independent/sovereign nation (=one that rules itself, rather than being run by another country)
Countries that were once colonies of Britain are now independent nations.
▪ an industrial/industrialized nation
The rich industrial nations dominate the global economy.
▪ a developed/advanced nation (=one that has many industries)
In the developed nations, many students go on to university.
▪ a developing/emerging nation (=one that is starting to have more industry)
Food shortages are often a problem in developing nations.
▪ a rich/wealthy nation
Most tourists come from the wealthy nations of the world.
▪ a poor nation
The high cost of medicines in poor nations prevents many citizens from receiving health care.
■ verbs
▪ lead a nation
He led the nation out of a depression and into a period of growth and prosperity.
▪ face a nation
There are many problems facing our nation.
▪ unite a nation (=make everyone in a country agree)
The crisis seemed to unite the nation.
▪ divide a nation (=make people in a nation disagree)
The war has divided the nation.
▪ shock a nation (=make everyone in a nation feel shocked)
This terrible crime has shocked the whole nation.