national ( nationals plural )
1 adj National means relating to the whole of a country or nation rather than to part of it or to other nations.
usu ADJ n
Ruling parties have lost ground in national and local elections., ...major national and international issues.
nationally adv ADV with v, ADV adj
...a nationally televised speech..., Duncan Campbell is nationally known for his investigative work.
2 adj National means typical of the people or customs of a particular country or nation.
...the national characteristics and history of the country..., Baseball is the national pastime.
3 n-count You can refer to someone who is legally a citizen of a country as a national of that country. usu adj N
(=citizen) ...a Sri-Lankan-born British national.
gross national product ( gross national products plural ) A country's gross national product is the total value of all the goods it has produced and the services it has provided in a particular year, including its income from investments in other countries. (BUSINESS) n-var
national anthem ( national anthems plural ) A national anthem is a nation's official song which is played or sung on public occasions. n-count usu sing
The National Curriculum is the course of study that most school pupils in England and Wales are meant to follow between the ages of 5 and 16. n-proper the N
national government ( national governments plural ) A national government is a government with members from more than one political party, especially one that is formed during a crisis.
(mainly BRIT) n-count usu sing
National Guard ( National Guards plural ) In the United States, theNational Guard is a military force within an individual state, which can become part of the national army if there is a war or emergency. n-count usu the N
...the leader of the Arkansas National Guard.
National Guardsman ( National Guardsmen plural ) A National Guardsman is a member of the National Guard in the United States. n-count
National Health Service
In Britain, theNational Health Service is the state system for providing medical care. It is paid for by taxes. n-proper the N
An increasing number of these treatments are now available on the National Health Service.
In Britain, national insurance is the state system of paying money to people who are ill, unemployed, or retired. It is financed by money that the government collects from people who work, or from their employers. (BUSINESS) n-uncount
national park ( national parks plural ) A national park is a large area of land which is protected by the government because of its natural beauty, plants, or animals, and which the public can usually visit. n-count; n-in-names oft in names after n
...the Masai Mara game reserve and Amboseli national park.
National service is service in the armed forces, which young people in certain countries have to do by law.
(mainly BRIT) n-uncount
Banks spent his national service in the Royal Navy.
in AM, use selective service