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

• 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

The town of about 9,000 people was founded by copper barons who profited off nearby mines in the late 1800s. —Arkansas Online, 3 Aug. 2025

Founded in the late 1800s by copper barons who made their fortunes from nearby mines, it is still marked by a towering, now-defunct smelter stack that dominates the skyline. —Jenna Sundel gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025

However, in reality, the 1856 mansion was once owned by Henry Sullivan Buckner, a cotton baron and slave owner. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 30 July 2025

But Palm Beach County’s friendly neighborhood sugar cane barons might yet make out like bandits. —Pat Beall, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2025

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