Words / A2

NAYSHUN/ˈneɪʃn/

A nation is a country and its people: the whole nation, a poor nation, nations around the world. Country is the everyday cousin (often the land and government). State can mean a country or a region inside one. National is the adjective. Do not write nation when you mean national (the adjective), or notion (an idea).

Meaning

A country and the people who live there.

Examples

• “People from many nations came to the sports event.”
• “The whole nation watched the final on television.”
• “Trade between the two nations has grown this year.”

Good to know

the whole nation / nations around the world. Cousin: country. Adjective: national. Mix-up: notion.

Near in meaning

country

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