international

[ in-ter-nash-uh-nl, -nash-nl ]

adjective

1. between or among nations; involving two or more nations:

   international trade.

2. of or relating to two or more nations or their citizens:

   a matter of international concern.

3. pertaining to the relations between nations:

   international law.

4. having members or activities in several nations:

   an international organization.

5. transcending national boundaries or viewpoints:

   an international benefit;

   an international reputation.

   Synonyms: cosmopolitan, worldwide

noun

1. (initial capital letter) any of several international socialist or communist organizations formed in the 19th and 20th centuries. Compare First International, Second International, Third International, Fourth International, Labor and Socialist International.
2. (sometimes initial capital letter) a labor union having locals in two or more countries.
3. an organization, enterprise, or group, especially a major business concern, having branches, dealings, or members in several countries.
4. an employee, especially an executive, assigned to work in a foreign country or countries by a business or organization that has branches or dealings in several countries.

international

¹

/ ˌɪntəˈnæʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, concerning, or involving two or more nations or nationalities
2. established by, controlling, or legislating for several nations

   an international court

   international fishing rights

3. available for use by all nations

   international waters

noun

1. sport
   1. a contest between two national teams
   2. a member of these teams

International

²

/ ˌɪntəˈnæʃənəl /

noun

1. any of several international socialist organizations See Comintern First International Labour and Socialist International Second International Socialist International Trotskyist International Vienna Union
2. a member of any of these organizations

International

1. An international organization of workers founded by Karl Marx (see also Marx ) in the 1860s. Weakened by disputes, it was dissolved in 1876, but it was succeeded by three later Internationals, which sought to spread communism throughout the world. The most effective of these was the Third International, formed by the Soviet Union in 1919 and dissolved in 1943 by Joseph Stalin .

Derived Forms

• ˌinterˈnationally, adverb
• ˌinterˌnationˈality, noun

Other Words From

• in·ter·na·tion·al·i·ty [in-ter-nash-, uh, -, nal, -i-tee], noun
• in·ter·na·tion·al·ly adverb
• non·in·ter·na·tion·al adjective
• pseu·do·in·ter·na·tion·al adjective
• qua·si-in·ter·na·tion·al adjective
• un·in·ter·na·tion·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of international¹

First recorded in 1770–80; inter- + national

Example Sentences

National policies like sugar taxes are vital, but having international coordination is also important in such a sprawling supply chain.

From Salon

The impetus behind tariffs is often to level the economic playing field, such as to avoid letting China subsidize production to create monopolies, said Usha Haley, professor of international business at Wichita State University.

From Salon

"But we're fighting a war against a vicious enemy and we must have the right to use everything we need within the realm of international law to defend ourselves," he said.

From BBC

"It adequately reflects the strong condemnation by the international community for the crimes committed by him and acknowledges the significant harm and suffering caused to the victims," she added.

From BBC

The deal was done for the Sporting manager on 1 November but his Portuguese club wanted him to wait until the international break before moving.

From BBC

Related Words

• foreign
• global
• universal