united nations
HighFormal
Definition
Meaning
An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, cooperation, and human rights among countries worldwide.
The central global institution for multilateral diplomacy, humanitarian aid, international law development, and coordination on transnational issues.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always treated as singular; refers both to the organization itself and its various bodies (Security Council, General Assembly, etc.).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; identical in official usage.
Connotations
UK usage often emphasizes the UN's role in peacekeeping and development; US usage sometimes focuses on its political and diplomatic functions.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties; slightly more common in international/BBC news contexts in the UK.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The United Nations + singular verb (is, has)A United Nations + noun (representative, initiative)At the United NationsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take it to the United Nations”
- “A United Nations of something (diverse group)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to international trade agreements, development projects, or regulatory standards.
Academic
Discussed in political science, international relations, law, and global studies.
Everyday
News about conflicts, humanitarian crises, climate agreements, or health initiatives.
Technical
Used in diplomacy, international law, peacekeeping operations, and treaty negotiations.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- A United Nations-sanctioned operation began last week.
- The United Nations-led talks continued throughout the night.
American English
- A United Nations-approved resolution passed the Security Council.
- United Nations-backed forces entered the region.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The United Nations helps people in many countries.
- There is a United Nations office in our city.
- The United Nations organizes aid for refugees after natural disasters.
- Many countries are members of the United Nations.
- The United Nations General Assembly will vote on the climate resolution next month.
- Critics argue that the United Nations lacks effective enforcement mechanisms.
- The United Nations' legitimacy depends on its ability to adapt to contemporary security challenges beyond interstate conflict.
- While the United Nations framework remains indispensable, its reform has been hampered by geopolitical rivalries.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Nations United' like 'states joined together' - the name describes its purpose.
Conceptual Metaphor
The world's town hall / The global family table / The international referee
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'Объединённые Нации' in casual speech; use 'ООН' (UN) instead.
- Don't confuse with 'United States' - different concepts.
Common Mistakes
- Using plural verb (e.g., 'The United Nations are...')
- Omitting 'the' (e.g., 'She works for United Nations')
- Capitalizing only 'Nations' inconsistently
Practice
Quiz
Which verb form is correct when referring to the United Nations?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Always singular when referring to the organization as a whole (e.g., The United Nations is...).
Yes, when referring to the organization: 'the United Nations'. Without 'the', it's incorrect.
No difference in meaning; UN is simply the abbreviation. 'United Nations' is more formal.
Yes, often hyphenated when used attributively: e.g., 'a UN-sponsored program', 'United Nations-led negotiations'.