ˈlābənzˌrau̇m noun
( -s )
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: German, literally, living space, from leben life, living + raum space
1. : territory that is held to be necessary for the existence or the economic self-sufficiency of a state
lands … earmarked by the Nazis as part of their lebensraum — H.C.Wolfe
2. : space required (as by a community, institution, organism, individual) for life, growth, or activity
the library is badly in need of new lebensraum — Hollis W. Piatt