Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

Bretwalda

noun
Save Word
Bret·​wal·​da | \ ˈbretˌwȯldə \
plural -s

Definition of Bretwalda

: the chief king in Anglo-Saxon England —used as a title in the Old English Chronicle for several kings said to have held supremacy over kingdoms beyond their own

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Bretwalda

Old English bretwalda, brytenwealda, probably from Bryten Britain + -walda, -wealda (from wealdan to rule)

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Bretwalda

Statistics for Bretwalda

Cite this Entry

“Bretwalda.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bretwalda. Accessed 17 January 2020.

Comments on Bretwalda

What made you want to look up Bretwalda? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

tontine

Listen to the pronounciation of tontine

a plan in which a last survivor takes all

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games