International means involving or connecting two or more countries. When athletes compete in the Olympic Games, they represent their home countries while competing against athletes from around the world. When your school hosts an international student from Japan or Mexico, that student has traveled from another country to study at your school.

An international flight crosses borders between countries, while a domestic flight stays within one country. International trade happens when countries buy and sell goods to each other: American companies might sell wheat to Egypt while buying electronics from South Korea.

You'll also hear about international law, which refers to agreements and rules that countries make with each other about how to cooperate and resolve disputes. Organizations like the United Nations work on international problems that affect multiple countries, such as protecting endangered species or responding to natural disasters.

When something becomes international, it spreads beyond a single country's borders. A local band becomes an international sensation when fans in many countries start listening to their music. The word suggests connection, cooperation, and the exciting reality that we share one planet with people from hundreds of different nations.