feudal

adjective feu·dal \ ˈfyü-dᵊl \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of feudal

1 : of, relating to, or suggestive of feudalism

feudal law

a feudal lord

2 : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a medieval fee (see ¹fee 1)

feudal rights and services

—

feudally

play \ˈfyü-dᵊl-ē\ adverb

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Recent Examples of feudal from the Web

Bin Salman in large part is looking for money, foreign funds being a crucial element of Vision 2030, his plan that promises to reconcile feudal society with the world around it.

— karl vick, Time, "The Saudi Crown Prince Thinks He Can Transform the Middle East. Should We Believe Him?," 5 Apr. 2018
That was before the rules kicked in, before the fortresses had been erected and their feudal lords had exiled anyone who dared deviate too much from the norm.

— stephen galloway, The Hollywood Reporter, "Stephen Hawking and the Search for a Hollywood Genius," 16 Mar. 2018
Trump is president, but also the standard bearer of the Republican Party, a position he’s embraced with the capriciousness of a feudal lord.

— jeet heer, New Republic, "Presidents’ Words Can Be Lasting Deeds," 12 Feb. 2018
In other words, like millionaires, feudal lords, and goats, stinkbugs exhibit a preference for high places.

— steven strogatz, The New Yorker, "When Twenty-Six Thousand Stinkbugs Invade Your Home," 8 Aug. 2011
Ideally, to weaken the feudal system that enslaved them.

— The Economist, "No place to keep quietObituary: Asma Jahangir died on February 11th," 15 Feb. 2018
The Communist census-takers who came to her remote fishing village were appalled by this relic of a feudal past, with her bound feet and bent body.

— hannah beech, New York Times, "Eyewitnesses to America’s Greatest International Competitor," 2 Feb. 2018
Moreover, the Czech regime condemned the harpsichord itself as a feudal and religious instrument.

— sam roberts, New York Times, "Zuzana Ruzickova, Leading Harpsichordist and War Survivor, Dies at 90," 3 Oct. 2017
Your feudal lord did not have a range of mottes, baileys, bartizans, drawbridges, dungeons, machicolations and turrets to choose from.

— A-LIST, "Stephen Bayley: Why Taste is the Greatest Taboo," 2 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feudal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of feudal

see ²feud

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1602

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

Other History Terms

agonistic, carpetbagger, enceinte, fief, historiography, paladin

FEUDAL Defined for English Language Learners

feudal

adjective

Definition of feudal for English Language Learners

: of or relating to feudalism

FEUDAL Defined for Kids

feudal

adjective feu·dal \ ˈfyü-dᵊl \

Definition of feudal for Students

: relating to feudalism

Learn More about feudal

See words that rhyme with feudal Spanish Central: Translation of feudal Nglish: Translation of feudal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of feudal for Arabic speakers

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feudal

Definition of feudal

feudally

Recent Examples of feudal from the Web

Origin and Etymology of feudal

Other History Terms

FEUDAL Defined for English Language Learners

feudal

Definition of feudal for English Language Learners

FEUDAL Defined for Kids

feudal

Definition of feudal for Students

Learn More about feudal

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feudally

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