indispensable nation

English

Noun

indispensable nation (plural indispensable nations)

1. The one nation that supposedly keeps the world affairs in check via its economic and military power.
   • 1995, William Jefferson Clinton, Presidential Radio Address - 16 November 1996:

     As I've said many times, America is the world's indispensable nation, the one the world looks to for leadership because of our strength and our values.

Usage notes

The term is usually used by US presidents.