nato

nato — noun

IPA/ˈneɪ.təʊ/
KK[nˈeto]IPA/ˈneɪ.t̬oʊ/

1. the group of North American and European countries bound by the 1949 agreement c

1.nounB1
Definition

the group of North American and European countries bound by the 1949 agreement called the North Atlantic Treaty to defend any member that comes under attack

Example

NATO was created in 1949 to protect its members during the Cold War.

NATO + passive: formed/created in [year]

Finland and Sweden chose to join NATO after the security situation in Europe changed.

collocation: join NATO

Common collocations
  • join NATO
  • NATO members
  • NATO forces
  • NATO summit
  • NATO alliance

Grammar Patterns

NATO + singular/plural verb

Usage Note

NATO is treated as a singular noun in most contexts (e.g., 'NATO has decided…'), though it refers to multiple countries.

nato — abbreviation

IPA/ˈneɪtəʊ/
KK[nˈeto]IPA/ˈneɪtəʊ/

Common collocations

Nouns

  • NATO members
  • NATO forces
  • NATO troops
  • NATO summit
  • NATO headquarters
  • NATO alliance

Phrases

  • join NATO
  • leave NATO
  • NATO expansion
  • NATO membership

Prepositions

  • in NATO
  • with NATO
  • into NATO

Etymology

Englishacronym

NATO is an acronym formed from the first letters of North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the name of the alliance created by the North Atlantic Treaty signed in Washington, D.C., in 1949.