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.

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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

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of balance of power

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

All of this has altered the balance of power between the U.S. and China, making it more likely that Beijing digs in on core issues of contention, say analysts and diplomats.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

Even if memory companies end up hurt by hyperscalers in these agreements, he said “the balance of power is shifting enough to make these agreements worthy of” attention from investors.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

Looking ahead, experts believe AI swarms could significantly affect the balance of power in democratic societies.

From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026

Their resignations - one from each party - do not change the balance of power in Congress, where Republicans hold a controlling majority.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

According to the New York Times, "it's been estimated by some intelligence experts that Mr. Walker provided enough code-data information to alter significantly the balance of power between Russia and the United States."

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau