-io

an action, process, or result

Forms

-io
-ion- — The longer form used before Latin endings.
-ion — The form carried into many English nouns.

Origin

An old Latin noun ending, inherited from earlier Indo-European word formation.

Note

The ending can name both an activity and what that activity produces.

241 / 371

noun

nation

NAY-shuhn/ˈneɪʃn/

An independent country with its own government.

The map shows a nation with towns and a central parliament.

A simplified country-shaped map contains several separated towns connected to one central national parliament.

Etymology

natLatinbe born or come into being

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

The birth root connects nation with a people linked by common ancestry. From that shared-descent sense, the word came to name an organized political community under a government.

In context

Saint Lucia Government195:56

the purpose of government is to enable the people of a Nation to live in safety and happiness government exist for the interest of the Govern and not the governors

Public Consultation on Inflation

More examples

The two nations signed a trade agreement.
Each nation sets its own immigration laws.
The island became an independent nation in 1962.

Forms

nation · nations

national adjective — Relating to a country as a whole.

nationality noun — Legal membership in a particular nation.

Similar words

country: The closest everyday equivalent, often emphasizing territory and borders.
state: Emphasizes a country's government, political organization, and sovereignty.