Black Rod

noun

: the principal usher of the House of Lords

Examples of Black Rod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The customs include a lawmaker being taken hostage, someone named Black Rod having a door slammed in her face three times, and a bejeweled crown arriving at the Palace of Westminster separate from the monarch, with its own escort. Washington Post, 9 May 2022 One official is called Black Rod, a sergeant-at-arms of sorts for the House of Lords. Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 11 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Black Rod.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Black Rod was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near Black Rod

Cite this Entry

“Black Rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Black%20Rod. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

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