noun
great powers; major world powers
Refers to the most powerful nations in a given historical period, especially in political, military, and economic contexts. Often used in discussions of 19th- and 20th-century history.
19世紀の列強はアジアやアフリカに植民地を広げた。
The great powers of the 19th century expanded their colonies in Asia and Africa.
第一次世界大戦はヨーロッパ列強の対立から始まっ
World War I began from the conflict among the European great powers.
Compound of 列 (れつ, 'line, row') and 強 (きょう, 'strong, powerful'), literally 'line of strong ones'. The term emerged in the late 19th century to describe the powerful Western nations and later Japan.