# sphere of influence

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A spatial region over which a state has a level of cultural, economic, military or political exclusivity.
2. A concept division over which a person, organization, etc. exerts control.

## Etymology
In reference to Anglo-German colonial rivalry in Africa. First use appears c. 1885.

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