national park

Meaning

A national park is an area of countryside, or sometimes sea or lake, protected by the state for the preservation of wildlife and its natural environment. These areas are open to the public for recreation and tourism. The term is neutral and used globally when discussing nature travel and conservation.

Examples

• We spent the weekend hiking through the national park.

  We spent the weekend hiking through the national park.

• You need to buy a pass before entering the national park.

  You need to buy a pass before entering the national park.

• Yellowstone was the world's first official national park.

  Yellowstone was the world's first official national park.

• The national park is home to several endangered species.

  The national park is home to several endangered species.

• We camped under the stars in the middle of the national park.

  We camped under the stars in the middle of the national park.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We visited a nature park national last summer.

  ✓ We visited a national park last summer.

  In English, the adjective 'national' must come before the noun 'park'. Placing it after the noun is incorrect.

• ✗ The government protects this national forest park.

  ✓ The government protects this national park.

  Combining 'national forest' and 'national park' into 'national forest park' is incorrect. They are two distinct types of public lands.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The government established a new ___ to protect the local wildlife and rainforest.

  💡 A large area of protected public land.

  Show answer

  national park

• You can see giant sequoia trees if you visit the ___ in California.

  💡 Two words, starts with 'n'.

  Show answer

  national park