nation
gb/nˈeɪʃən/ us/nˈeɪʃən/
A2
English
~ 1200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
A country or sovereign state
A country with its own government and land.
Usage pattern:
[a/the] nation
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'nation' with 'nationality'. 'Nation' refers to the country itself, while 'nationality' refers to the legal relationship between a person and that country.
Synonyms
country (Most common everyday synonym; interchangeable in most contexts.)
|
state (More formal or legal; used in political science or law.)
Antonyms
colony (A territory controlled by another country, not independent.)
Collocations
developed nation
|nation building
|nation state
|nation’s capital
|proud nation
Themes
politics
|geography
|society
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Japan is a nation made up of many islands.
- The nation voted for a new president.
- As a nation, we must address climate change.
- Canada is known as a peaceful nation.
- The nation celebrated its independence day.
Learner examples
- France is a nation in Europe.
- My nation has many mountains.
- The nation is free and independent.
- This nation has a lot of people.
Noun
B1
entity
2
A people with shared identity
A big group of people with the same culture or history, even if they live in different countries.
Usage pattern:
[a/the] nation
Common mistake:
Learners may assume 'nation' always means 'country', but it can also mean a cultural or ethnic group without a state.
Synonyms
people (Refers to an ethnic or cultural group rather than a political entity.)
Antonyms
outsiders (People who are not part of the group.)
Collocations
indigenous nation
|First Nations
|Jewish nation
Themes
society
|culture
|history
|relationships
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The Cherokee Nation has its own traditions and governance.
- Many nations were represented at the cultural festival.
- The Jewish nation has a long and complex history.
Learner examples
- The Navajo Nation lives in the United States.
- This nation speaks the same language.
- The nation keeps its old traditions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
nation
IPA
GB/nˈeɪʃən/
US/nˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
na - tion (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (na)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: nation
- Plural: nations
Word family
Forms
nations
noun
Core family
national
adjective A2
nationality
noun A2
Related words
Advanced or less common
Expressions
nation building
1/nˈeɪʃən bˈɪldɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Creating and strengthening a country
The work of making a country stronger, more organized, and united.
Examples
- Education is an important part of nation building.
- After independence, the leaders focused on nation building.
pride of the nation
1/pɹˈaɪd əv ðə nˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Thing admired by all citizens
Something that makes the people of a country feel proud.
Examples
- The Olympic gold medalist became the pride of the nation.
- This historic building is the pride of the nation.
united as a nation
1/junˈaɪtɪd ˈæz ə nˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Together as one country/people
When all the people of a country work together as one group.
Examples
- In times of crisis, we must stand united as a nation.
- The team’s victory brought the citizens united as a nation.