nea
nea — noun
1. an abbreviation for National Education Association: the largest professional org
an abbreviation for National Education Association: the largest professional organization for teachers and other school staff in the United States, which works to improve public schools and protect educators' working conditions.
Rania, a high school teacher, joined the NEA for better legal protection at work.
joined the NEA — membership collocation
The NEA released a statement supporting smaller class sizes in public schools across the country.
the NEA released a statement — organizational action pattern
Jason read an article about the NEA's role in shaping state education policy.
Adisa, a middle school teacher in Chicago, attended the NEA annual conference last summer.
用法筆記
Always capitalized; commonly preceded by 'the' when referring to the organization. The same three-letter abbreviation also stands for a federal arts agency (sense 2), so the context — education vs. arts — disambiguates which NEA is meant.
常見錯誤
2. an abbreviation for National Endowment for the Arts: a United States government
an abbreviation for National Endowment for the Arts: a United States government agency that provides financial grants and support to artists, musicians, theaters, museums, and other cultural programs nationwide.
A theater in Houston got a grant from the NEA for its youth drama program.
grant from the NEA — funding collocation
Camille applied for NEA funding to support her photography exhibition in rural New Mexico.
NEA funding — attributive noun pattern
The NEA funds public art projects that serve communities with few cultural events.
Portland sculptor Omar got NEA support for a large metal artwork in the park.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: when the context involves art, music, theater, or cultural grants, the reference is to the National Endowment for the Arts, not the teachers' union. Frequently encountered in discussions of government spending on culture.