Sovereign

Welcome to the Voice of America’s News Words.

This word has to do with international relations.

Sovereign.

Listen to U.S. General, and NATO Commander, Phillip Breedlove.

We’ve seen a nation cross an internationally recognized sovereign border, and annex by force a portion of a sovereign nation.

That changes the way we do business.

Sovereign means the right of a country to govern itself.

A sovereign nation is independent from other countries.

General Breedlove complains that Russia took over part of Ukraine.

Now, when you hear the word sovereign, your American English will be good enough to know what this News Word means.