baron

noun

bar·​on ˈber-ən 

ˈba-rən

1

a

: one of a class of tenants holding his rights and title by military or other honorable service directly from a feudal superior (such as a king)

b

: a lord of the realm : noble, peer

2

a

: a member of the lowest grade of the peerage in Great Britain

b

: a nobleman on the continent of Europe of varying rank

c

: a member of the lowest order of nobility in Japan

3

: a joint of meat consisting of two sirloins or loins and legs not cut apart at the backbone

a baron of beef

4

: a man who possesses great power or influence in some field of activity

a cattle baron

Synonyms of baron

• magnate
• tycoon
• king

Examples of baron in a Sentence

a media baron who owns newspapers, television and radio stations, and even several cable networks

Recent Examples on the Web

Like the barons of New York a century ago, Ackman seems to be trying to shift the landscape to create another corridor, one fitted to his own interests. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 11 Aug. 2026

The switch is because the Cox family — descendants of an Ohio press baron who bought his first newspaper in 1898, began acquiring cable systems in 1962 — will become the firm’s largest shareholder group, with about 23% of the stock. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026

As the former residence of press baron Lord Beaverbrook, the English country house hotel—which recently provided the backdrop for Arsenal and England hero Declan Rice’s British Vogue shoot—has a pretty storied past. — Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026

Climate Defiance, the left-wing group whose portfolio includes disrupting both oil barons and Democrats, showed up to film skits criticizing her, with a comedian portraying her. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German baro freeman

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing baron

• robber baron

Rhymes for baron

• barren

Kids Definition

baron

noun

bar·​on ˈbar-ən 

1

: a member of the lowest rank of the British nobility

2

: a person of great power or influence

a cattle baron