1. Additional territory deemed necessary to a nation, especially Nazi Germany, for its continued existence or economic well-being.
2. Adequate space in which to live, develop, or function.

[German : Lebens, genitive sing. of Leben, life (from Middle High German , from Old High German lebēn) + Raum, space (from Middle High German roum , from Old High German rūm).]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.