feu·dal·ism
ˈfyü-də-ˌli-zəm 
1
: the system of political organization prevailing in Europe from the 9th to about the 15th centuries having as its basis the relation of lord to vassal (see vassal sense 1) with all land held in fee (see fee sense 1) and as chief characteristics homage, the service of tenants under arms and in court, wardship (see wardship sense 1), and forfeiture (see forfeiture sense 1)
2
: any of various political or social systems similar to medieval feudalism
plural -s
1
: a representative or upholder of feudalism
2
: a specialist in medieval feudalism
Examples of feudalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
This financialization of a basic human necessity has drawn comparisons, among economists and urban researchers, to a form of structural economic feudalism.
—Jonathan Tower, Forbes.com, 4 June 2026
Nowadays there is less merriment, sunk as Moscow is in a combination of Putin stagnation, the Ukraine war, and the techno-feudalism that is making serfs of all of us in a world owned by billionaires pumping propaganda through the black boxes in the palm of our hands.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The productive wonders of capitalism did that, not socialism, not communism, not feudalism, not welfarism.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
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Noun
As media monopolies gained control of discourse, a new feudalism arose.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
This financialization of a basic human necessity has drawn comparisons, among economists and urban researchers, to a form of structural economic feudalism.
—Jonathan Tower, Forbes.com, 4 June 2026
Nowadays there is less merriment, sunk as Moscow is in a combination of Putin stagnation, the Ukraine war, and the techno-feudalism that is making serfs of all of us in a world owned by billionaires pumping propaganda through the black boxes in the palm of our hands.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The productive wonders of capitalism did that, not socialism, not communism, not feudalism, not welfarism.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for feudalism
Cite this Entry
“Feudalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feudalism. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
feudalism
noun
feu·dal·ism
ˈfyüd-ᵊl-ˌiz-əm
: a system of political organization (as in Europe during the Middle Ages) in which a vassal served a lord and received protection and land in return
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