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

Speaking last year, Sir Keir said the new legislation would change "the balance of power in Britain" to ensure the state could "never hide from the people it is supposed to serve".

From BBC

Now Imai has arrived to help restore the balance of power.

From The Wall Street Journal

As it turns out, that wasn’t the only instance this weekend when the balance of power across the NFL was suddenly tilted by a major injury to a superstar.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the best light, the new strategy imitates Theodore Roosevelt’s effort to take advantage of America’s rising influence and mediate balances of power in East Asia and Europe while dominating North America and the Caribbean.

From The Wall Street Journal

“But given where we are and the fact that the balance of power is absolutely not in our favor—yes, I would sign a bad peace to stop the war.”

From The Wall Street Journal