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

This raises "serious questions over whether Iran can sustain current levels of military spending -- and indeed its stature in the balance of power in the region -- while managing the economy and stemming civil unrest".

From Barron's

In those days, he also advocated participating in both parties, what he called “a balance of power.”

From Los Angeles Times

The times are vastly different, but the balance of power between these married writers remains precarious.

From Los Angeles Times

Unable to sustain Europe’s balance of power themselves, Europeans were “reduced to dependency on one or the other global superpower.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“After years of tech driven market leadership, the balance of power is shifting, and creating opportunities for diversified portfolios” said Angelo Kourkafas, senior global strategist at Edward Jones.

From Barron's