Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

first nation

/ˌfɜɹs(t)ˈneɪʃən/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.85 in modern English

Syllables: First Na-tion
IPA: /ˌfɜɹs(t)ˈneɪʃən/

14

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A community of indigenous peoples of Canada (typically not including the Inuit or Metis), especially one officially recognized by the federal government.

Canadian usage

noun

A community or settlement of indigenous peoples of any country or region.

noun

A community or settlement of indigenous peoples of any country or region.

Australian usage

adj

Alternative form of First Nations

Example Sentences

"Today we speak as the descendants of our grandfathers who signed treaties with the Commissioners representing Her Majesty Queen Victoria in the late 1800s. […] The various governments of this country have made attempts to abrogate our treaties in one way or another. In spite of this, our treaties stand stronger than ever because we have had to rise as First Nations to defend them."
"The Campbell River First Nation claims the 40 hectares of prime real estate has been illegally acquired, and it wants the land returned to it, along with damages."
"The prolonged sufferings and ghastly deaths of Jesuit missionaries at the hands of hostile First Nations on the borders of the French colonies in Canada in the early seventeenth century rank high in the history of Christian suffering."
"First Nation leaders in Ontario will support demonstrations and protests, until six band councillors are released from jail."

Etymology

From first (adjective) + nation, coined in the late 1970s in place of the word Indian which had become regarded by some as derogatory (though it is still used: see the usage note).

Word Breakdown

Root: *per-

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌfɜɹs(t)ˈneɪʃən/
British English: /ˌfɜːs(t)ˈneɪʃn/

Usage

Inflected Forms

First Nations (plural)

Phrases

First Nation band First Nations

Rhymes With

information education situation population station association administration operation organization head station nation location

Questions

How do you pronounce first nation?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌfɜɹs(t)ˈneɪʃən/.
What does first nation mean?: A community of indigenous peoples of Canada (typically not including the Inuit or Metis), especially one officially recognized by the federal government.
Where does first nation come from?: From first (adjective) + nation, coined in the late 1970s in place of the word Indian which had become regarded by some as derogatory (though it is still used: see the usage note).

How to pronounce first nation

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “first nation”.
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