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

See Examples For:

buffer zone

"Our seas are not an empty void or a buffer zone between global powers -- they are our estate, our livelihood, and our identity as stewards of the sea."

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

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

That would likely resemble a previous 1974 nonaggression pact that established a demilitarized buffer zone between the two countries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 10, 2025

A few police stand in the buffer zone but not enough of them, it seems, if any real trouble flares up.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee