nation-state
noun
na·tion-state
ˈnā-shən-ˈstāt 
-ˌstāt
: a form of political organization under which a relatively homogeneous people inhabits a sovereign state
especially
: a state containing one as opposed to several nationalities
Examples of nation-state in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In January 2024, nation-state actor Midnight Blizzard exploited Microsoft misconfigurations in password spray attacks that successfully compromised an account without multifactor authentication (MFA) enabled.
—
Galit Lubetzky, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
This notion may be threatening to Silicon Valley C.E.O.s, who see their companies as nation-states unto themselves.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
In this impressive study, Hall argues that modern empires and nation-states are deeply entangled.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
The day the United States loses the ability to deport noncitizens who espouse such toxic beliefs is the day the United States ceases to be a sovereign nation-state.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nation-state
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Galit Lubetzky, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
This notion may be threatening to Silicon Valley C.E.O.s, who see their companies as nation-states unto themselves.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
In this impressive study, Hall argues that modern empires and nation-states are deeply entangled.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
The day the United States loses the ability to deport noncitizens who espouse such toxic beliefs is the day the United States ceases to be a sovereign nation-state.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nation-state
Cite this Entry
“Nation-state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nation-state. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share