sphere of influence

noun

plural

spheres of influence 

1. any area in which one nation wields dominant power over another or others.

sphere of influence

noun

1. a region of the world in which one state is dominant

Word History and Origins

Origin of sphere of influence¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Former US President Abraham Lincoln officially declared Liberia's independence in 1862 but the country retained a lot of US heritage and it remained in the American "sphere of influence" during the colonial period.

From BBC

Putin has sought to return Ukraine to Russia's sphere of influence and said last week that "the whole of Ukraine is ours".

From BBC

The broad view is that, for the US, countering China and keeping the Pacific in their sphere of influence is still crucial.

From BBC

In Europe's east, the Soviet Union's former sphere of influence, people fear President Trump's attitude to Ukraine will only embolden President Putin in his expansionist drive.

From BBC

The United States will have a sphere of influence and we will cede Europe to Putin as his sphere of influence and feed perhaps Asia to China.

From Salon