buffer state

American  

noun

1. a nation lying between potentially hostile larger nations.

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buffer state British  

noun

1. a small neutral state between two rival powers

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Etymology

Origin of buffer state

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

For more than 30 years before that, effectively since World War II, Afghanistan had served as a buffer state between the American and the Soviet empires.

From Salon • Dec. 13, 2025

Syria’s future would be determined by the Arabs, Iran would accept Iraq as a neutral buffer state between it and the Sunni Arab world, and an uneasy peace would prevail.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2018

The U.S. troops give Kim leverage with China, which sees North Korea as a buffer state between its border and a well-armed U.S. ally.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2018

Retreating from earlier pledges, the British did not demand an Indian buffer state around the Great Lakes, and left Tecumseh’s followers to face the Americans alone.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

China is our neighbour in Eastern Asia, and is, it is often stated, an ideal power to be intrusted with the government of the buffer state called for by French aggression in Siam.

From An Australian in China Being the Narrative of a Quiet Journey Across China to Burma by Morrison, George Ernest