1. territory that a state or nation believes is needed for its natural development or survival
Usage: historical; often associated with Nazi ideology

Examples

• The concept of lebensraum was used to justify territorial expansion.
• Hitler’s policy of lebensraum led to the invasion of neighboring countries.
• The term lebensraum originated in German geopolitical theory.
• Many nations throughout history have sought lebensraum for their growing populations.
• The idea of lebensraum became a central element of Nazi propaganda.
• Scholars study lebensraum as an example of how geographic theories can be misused politically.