nation-state

noun

na·​tion-state ˈnā-shən-ˈstāt How to pronounce nation-state (audio)
-ˌstāt
: a form of political organization under which a relatively homogeneous people inhabits a sovereign state
especially : a state containing one as opposed to several nationalities

Examples of nation-state in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For years, Russian President Vladimir Putin had harassed and assaulted the independent nation-state of Ukraine. Lloyd J. Austin Iii, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024 Jacob saw his situation at Marburg as akin to the slights that the German people—lacking the political and economic advantages that came with being part of a nation-state—suffered on the European stage. Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 The message was clear: Even if your group is defined by targeting innocent people, the Biden-Harris White House will bestow the same legitimacy upon you as any nation-state by granting you a seat at the negotiating table. Pat Fallon, National Review, 3 Nov. 2024 That's unlike 2020 or 2016, when just one or two nation-state threats were top of mind, Matthew Masterson, director of information integrity at Microsoft, told Axios. Sam Sabin, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nation-state 

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nation-state was in 1895

Dictionary Entries Near nation-state

Cite this Entry

“Nation-state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nation-state. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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