overlord

noun

over·​lord ˈō-vər-ˌlȯrd 

1

: a lord over other lords : a lord paramount

2

a

: an absolute or supreme ruler

b

: one having great power or authority

a corporate overlord

overlordship

ˈō-vər-ˌlȯrd-ˌship 

ˌō-vər-ˈlȯrd-

noun

Examples of overlord in a Sentence

He is the overlord of the underground gambling industry.

Recent Examples on the Web

During the Cold War, the overlords of the Eastern bloc used art to portray an idealized communist life. —Suzanne Nossel, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2024

This spoilsport effort has become fodder for late-night comedy routines and gripes about liberal overlords such as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg banishing all fun. —Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2024

Regional leaders have described the behavior of the central government, which holds more power than in federal systems like the United States’, as that of a colonial overlord. —Hari Kumar, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024

At a time when artificial intelligence has assumed overlord status in the popular imagination, Nigel is a reminder of the unknown limits of human performance and the mysteries of the human mind. —Krista Stevens, Longreads, 20 Mar. 2024

My fears are somewhat different than some of the people who are worried about AI overlords and things like that. —Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2024

At a minimum, the tech overlords would get credit for stepping into the gladiatorial arena. —Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2024

Still, perhaps Brooker is underestimating our future overlords. —EW.com, 18 Oct. 2023

In it, the film’s hero, Jonathan E., is a star athlete who’s willing to risk his own life to avoid being a pawn for his corporate overlords. —Matthew Jordan, The Conversation, 1 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

overlord

noun

over·​lord ˈō-vər-ˌlȯ(ə)rd 

1

: a lord who rules over other lords

2

: an absolute or supreme ruler