duke

1 of 2

noun

ˈdük How to pronounce duke (audio)
 also  ˈdyük
1
: a sovereign male ruler of a continental European duchy
2
: a nobleman of the highest hereditary rank
especially : a member of the highest grade of the British peerage
3
[probably from dukes of York, rhyming slang for fork (hand, fist)] slang : fist, hand
usually used in plural
dukedom
ˈdük-dəm How to pronounce duke (audio)
 also  ˈdyük-
noun

duke

2 of 2

verb

duked; duking
Phrases
duke it out
: to engage in a fight and especially a fistfight

Examples of duke in a Sentence

Noun Put up your dukes and fight, you coward!
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Gladys was a con artist this whole time and laughs in the duke’s face as her plans are fulfilled! Alice Burton, Vulture, 14 July 2025 Prince Harry and Meghan remain unpopular in Britain, with the duke liked by 30 percent and disliked by 61 percent (minus 31). Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
Tuesday’s news conference marked the latest escalation between Newsom and Trump, who have for years duked it out over the state’s wildfire preparation and response. Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025 The redevelopment of an east Fort Worth golf course could be in jeopardy as two of the project’s developers duke it out in court. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for duke

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French duc, from Latin duc-, dux, from ducere to lead — more at tow entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of duke was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Duke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duke. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

duke

noun
ˈd(y)ük
1
: a soveriegn ruler of a duchy
2
: a nobleman of the highest rank especially of the British nobility
3
slang : fist sense 1
usually used in plural

Biographical Definition

Duke

biographical name

ˈdük How to pronounce Duke (audio)
ˈdyük
Benjamin Newton 1855–1929 and his brother James Buchanan 1856–1925 American tobacco industrialists

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