nation-state
noun
na·tion-state
ˈnā-shən-ˈstāt 
-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
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 
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.
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
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 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share