Na·tion·al a.
 1. Of or pertaining to a nation; common to a whole people or race; public; general; as, a national government, language, dress, custom, calamity, etc.
 2. Attached to one's own country or nation.
 National anthem, a popular song or hymn which has become by general acceptance the recognized musical expression of the patriotic sentiment of a nation; as, “God save the King” is called the national anthem of England.
 National bank, the official common name of a class of banking corporations established under the laws of the United States.
 National flag. See under Flag.
 National guard, a body of militia, or a local military organization, as in Paris during the French Revolution, or as certain bodies of militia in other European countries and in the United States.
 National salute, a salute consisting of as many guns as there are States in the Union. [U.S.]
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 National Guard
      n : United States military reserves recruited by the states and
          equipped by the federal government; subject to call by
          either [syn: home reserve]