ˌnation ˈstate BrE AmE noun [countable]
a nation that is a politically independent country:
European union is seen as a threat to the sovereignty of the nation state.
ˌnation ˈstate BrE AmE noun [countable]
a nation that is a politically independent country:
European union is seen as a threat to the sovereignty of the nation state.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. Longman - Словарь современного английского языка. 2012