A state or territory partly controlled by (but not a possession of) a stronger state but autonomous in internal affairs; protectorates are established by treaty WordNet 3.0 & Open English WordNet

An associated state is the minor partner in a formal, free relationship between a political territory and a major party—usually a larger nation. Wikipedia

A protectorate, in the context of international relations, is a state that is under protection by another state for defence against aggression and other violations of law. Wikipedia

A territory with a degree of statehood in free relationship with a nation Wikipedia Disambiguation

Territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily by a stronger state Wikidata

Minor partner in a formal, free relationship between a political territory Wikidata

A political entity that formally agrees by treaty to enter into an unequal relationship with another, stronger state, called the protector, which engages to protect it against third parties, in exchange for which the protectorate usually accepts specified obligations, which may vary greatly, depending on the real nature of their relationship. OmegaWiki

An autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily against third parties by a stronger state or entity. Wiktionary

A protected autonomous state. Wiktionary (translation)