nation-state

noun

na·​tion-state ˈnā-shən-ˈstāt How to pronounce nation-state (audio)
-ˌstāt
Synonyms of nation-statenext
: 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
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With vehicles from nation-states like Russia and China, as well as private companies like Rocket Lab, SpaceX, Arianespace and others, launch costs are no longer prohibitive. Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026 Zionism is the belief that the Jewish people have a right to establish a Jewish nation-state in their ancestral homeland in the Middle East. ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026 Srinivasan has also published a book arguing that such privatized, business-friendly enclaves will eventually surpass nation-states. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026 Organizations unintentionally create systemic weaknesses that adversaries, ranging from nation-states to hackers, are keen to exploit when privacy is neglected. Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Nation-state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nation-state. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

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