nationhood

[ ney-shuhn-hood ]

noun

1. the state or quality of having status as a separate and independent nation:

   an African colony that achieved nationhood.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nationhood¹

First recorded in 1840–50; nation + -hood

Example Sentences

In his heyday, in the 1990s, Mr. Murphy was the rare political commentator who commanded a countrywide audience, skewering Canada’s elites as well as its sometimes fragile sense of nationhood.

From New York Times

It is uncharted waters not only for Mr Wong but also Singapore, which has had a Lee leader for 45 of its 59 years of nationhood.

From BBC

But the proposal is highly unpopular, forcing elected officials to grapple with questions that cut to the heart of nationhood: Can they convince enough citizens to sacrifice their lives?

From Seattle Times

Such surveys have found a smaller, more ardent group of believers in Christian nationhood.

From Seattle Times

The personal tragedies and controversies in Thomas Jefferson’s life played out as America entered a new era of nationhood.

From Literature