buffer zone

American  

noun

1. a neutral zone or area between two potentially hostile nations, designed to prevent any overt acts of aggression.

2. any area serving to mitigate or neutralize potential conflict.

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buffer zone British  

noun

1. an area lying between two states and providing each with protection from the other

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Etymology

Origin of buffer zone

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

A buffer zone in southern Lebanon would do little to eliminate that threat, Heller told AFP, "for which it doesn't seem like the Israelis have an effective countermeasure."

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

That route, called the Traffic Separation Scheme, established one 2-mile-wide lane for entering and one 2-mile-wide lane for leaving the Persian Gulf, plus a 2-mile-wide buffer zone.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

The military is trying to carve out a buffer zone inside Lebanon deep enough to put border communities beyond the militants’ reach.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

"Even if Israel sets up a buffer zone, we won't leave. Let them bury us here," he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

They were trying to create a firebreak, a buffer zone like the bald where there would be nothing for the wildfires to burn.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz