nation-state

[ ney-shuhn-steyt ]

noun

1. a sovereign state inhabited by a relatively homogeneous group of people who share a feeling of common nationality.

nation-state

noun

1. an independent state inhabited by all the people of one nation and one nation only

Word History and Origins

Origin of nation-state¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

In a statement, Verizon spokesman Rich Young said the company was “aware that a highly sophisticated nation-state actor has reportedly targeted several US telecommunications providers to gather intelligence.”

From BBC

“It would have to rest on an argument that random immigration — that is to say immigration based on individual decisions of individual people — is the equivalent of an invasion from a nation-state,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

One of those was the Act of Union in 1801, which sought to short-circuit the Irish propensity for rebellion by creating a brand new nation-state, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

From Salon

If progressive-minded Christians are divided about combining religion and politics, those on the Christian Right have far less compunction over imposing their beliefs on others as a matter of public policy, claiming that America is and should be a Christian nation-state.

From Salon

And with this faith in America as a Christian nation-state often comes an embrace of values that have long been associated with American aspirations like the home-owning nuclear family and material prosperity as a sign of divine grace, without any serious appraisal of their problems.

From Salon