buffer state

noun

: a usually neutral state lying between two larger potentially rival powers

Examples of buffer state in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Mongolia played the role of a buffer state between the Soviet Union and China for much of the 20th century, and counted on the rivalry between the two superpowers to gain and maintain its independent status. Charles Krusekopf, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2024 China, meanwhile, has traditionally preferred to have a stable, if irksome, North Korean buffer state along its border rather than to push for denuclearization at the risk of regime collapse. Robert Jervis, Foreign Affairs, 5 Apr. 2018 Yet given the troubled history of warfare and occupation within buffer states such as Afghanistan and Poland, this idea becomes a nonstarter. Brandon Valeriano, Foreign Affairs, 30 Apr. 2015 Strategists like Hadrian and Augustus put most of their efforts into lining up buffer states. Christopher Tayler, Harper's Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023 Like Belarus, Ukraine does not only hold geopolitical significance as a buffer state between East and West but is regarded as a major cultural and historical ally of Russia – more so than other post-Soviet nations whose heritage and geography are further removed from the power center of Moscow. Katharina Buchholz, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2022 The country has long existed as a buffer state — spending 700 years as part of Sweden before being retched away by the Russian Empire in 1809. Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2022 Lukashenko has led the former Soviet republic that Moscow sees as a buffer state to the West since 1994 and strengthened ties with Moscow during mass protests that erupted in 2020 as the West imposed sanctions. NBC News, 18 Jan. 2022 By these means, Ukraine would become a neutral buffer state. Noah Millman, The Week, 9 Jan. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'buffer state.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of buffer state was in 1883

Dictionary Entries Near buffer state

Cite this Entry

“Buffer state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buffer%20state. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

buffer state

noun
: a small neutral state lying between two larger rival powers
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!