nationality

noun

na·​tion·​al·​i·​ty ˌna-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

ˌnash-ˈna-

plural nationalities

1

a

: national status

specifically : a legal relationship involving allegiance on the part of an individual and usually protection on the part of the state

nationality bestowed by birth

Unlike the United States and some European countries, Japan grants nationality based on ancestry, not place of birth.

—Mari Yamaguchi

b

: membership in a particular nation

She's American, but her parents are of Nigerian nationality.

2

a

: an ethnic group constituting one element of a larger unit (such as a nation)

The country is home to five nationalities.

b

: a people having a common origin, tradition, and language and capable of forming or actually constituting a nation-state

The diverse nationalities of the Austro-Hungarian Empire desired independence.

3

dated : national character

… the intricate pleats and folds of the American nationality …

—Paul Berman

4

dated : loyalty and devotion to a nation

… a rekindled spirit of nationality, pride, and yearning for unity …

—Michael Kilian

5

dated : political independence or existence as a separate nation

Recognition of Ireland's nationality was felt to be deeply desired …

—Alan O'Day

Synonyms of nationality

• ethnicity
• nation

Examples of nationality in a Sentence

The country is home to five nationalities and seven languages.

people of all races and nationalities

She's American, but her parents are of Japanese nationality.

He has held French nationality for the past 20 years.

The university has students of over 50 nationalities.

Recent Examples on the Web

The complaint does not state the nationalities of the other people on the boat. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

The regional officials said Emirati authorities had shared information about the passengers and crew, including their nationalities. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

Israel did not raise concerns The regional officials said Emirati authorities had shared information about the passengers and crew, including their nationalities. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

But the debate has been difficult to settle because Irish national crime statistics do not routinely publish nationality breakdowns, leaving limited public data to test competing claims. — Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for nationality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criminality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• hospitality

Kids Definition

nationality

noun

na·​tion·​al·​i·​ty ˌnash-(ə-)ˈnal-ət-ē 

plural nationalities

1

: the fact or state of belonging to a nation

a person of French nationality

2

: political independence as a nation

3

: a people having a common beginning, tradition, or language