international

comparative more international · superlative most international · abbreviation int'l · abbreviation intl · abbreviation intl.

1. Of or having to do with more than one nation.
   1. Between or among nations.

      an international discussion

   2. Participated in by two or more nations.

      an international competition

      1 more example

      Canada’s men’s hockey team defeated the USA 3-2 in overtime Thursday to capture the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off Championship as the NHL put on a show in the first edition of this midseason international tournament.

      2025 February 20, Homero De la Fuente, “Canada beats Team USA in overtime thriller to win hockey’s first-ever 4 Nations Face-off championship”, in CNN, archived from the original on 28 Mar 2025

   3. Common to, or affecting, two or more nations.

      an international rule

      1 more example

      Principles of legiſlation in matters betwixt nation and nation, or, to uſe a new though not inexpreſſive appellation, in matters of international law.

      [1780, Jeremy Bentham, “Preface”, in An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, published 1789, archived from the original on 05 Jan 2026, page 6

   4. Serving two or more nations.

      an international airport

2. Of or concerning the association called the International.
3. Independent of national boundaries; common to all people.

   the international community of scholars

   2 more examples

   It is time the international community faced the reality: we have an unmanageable, unfair, distortionary global tax regime. It is a tax system that is pivotal in creating the increasing inequality that marks most advanced countries today – with America standing out in the forefront and the UK not far behind.

   2013 June 7, Joseph Stiglitz, “Globalisation is about taxes too”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 26, page 19

   The atmosphere is an international resource.

4. Foreign; of another nation.

   an international student

   1 more example

   The number of international players in the National Basketball Association has increased 10 percent from one year ago, the league said on Monday.

   2014 October 27, Steve Ginsburg, “More international players than ever before, league says”, in Reuters, archived from the original on 26 Oct 2015

plural internationals

1. AustraliaIrelandUKhobbiesSomeone who has represented their country in a particular sport.

   The United team includes five England internationals.

   1 more example

   "The young fellah meant no real harm. After all, he's an International, so if he takes half an hour to describe a game of football he has more right to do it than most folk."

   1913, Arthur Conan Doyle, “(please specify the page)”, in The Poison Belt […], London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC

2. AustraliaBritainIrelandhobbiesA game or contest between two or more nations.

   SWR has more than its fair share of major national events. As well as the [Queen's] funeral and the coronation in the past 12 months, annual events include racing at Ascot, grand slam tennis at Wimbledon, and rugby internationals at Twickenham.

   2023 July 26, Paul Clifton, “A (safe and secure) Day at the Races...”, in RAIL, number 988, page 35

3. governmentA transnational organization of political parties of similar ideology.

plural Internationals

1. A make of truck and other vehicles formerly manufactured by International Harvester.