# nanny state

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A state whose government institutions are authoritative and over-paternalistic, interfering with and controlling people's lives.

## Etymology
Of British origin.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/nanny-state