balance of power

American  

noun

1. a distribution and opposition of forces among nations such that no single nation is strong enough to assert its will or dominate all the others.

---

balance of power British  

noun

1. the distribution of power among countries so that no one nation can seriously threaten the fundamental interests of another

2. any similar distribution of power or influence

---

balance of power Cultural  

1. A state of peace that results when rival nations are equally powerful and therefore have no good reason to wage war.

---

Etymology

Origin of balance of power

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

balance of power

As more shoppers buy the store brands, the balance of power between retailers and manufacturers keeps shifting in the retailers’ favor, analysts say.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy, is indispensable to the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, and is increasingly consequential in a restive Middle East.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

He took aim at other labs that are "focused on building AI for companies, governments or other institutions," arguing that this would tip the balance of power in favor of institutions instead of individuals.

From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026

“For Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has become a strategic lever for deterrence, maintaining the regional balance of power, and reshaping the security rules in the Persian Gulf,” said Mostafa Najafi, a Tehran-based security analyst.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026

The weather, in fact, had been still all day, as though it were waiting, testing out the new balance of power in the world.

From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo