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

See Examples For:

balance of power

From oil prices to regional alliances, the six-month-old conflict has defied expectations and unsteadied the global balance of power.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 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

Meta is committed to building with the principles of individual empowerment, invention and balance of power.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 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