feudal

feu·dal | \ ˈfyü-dᵊl

How to pronounce feudal (audio)

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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 fee entry 1 sense 1) feudal rights and services

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Examples of feudal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web When outside forces sought to introduce the feudal system of land ownership into Raetia, the common associations fragmented into smaller units called communes, made up of the region’s even smaller villages and neighborhoods. — Win Mccormack, The New Republic, "A Rebirth of Communal Liberty?," 26 Dec. 2019 But he was kept out seven times by committees stocked with owners still spiteful that Miller ended what was essentially feudal control of players by organizing a union and using collective bargaining to gain free agency. — BostonGlobe.com, "Hall has difficult decision on Miller," 15 Dec. 2019 Lu, who is loved in China for his rebellious spirit during a time of great social upheaval in China, was critical of the country’s feudal and imperialist practices at the turn of the last century. — Jane Li, Quartz, "The story of Aunt Xianglin, the pitiable female character China compared to Mike Pompeo," 4 Dec. 2019 Mitsuho Nakata, an artisan who makes Catholic statues near Urakami, is the great-grandson of a samurai who cut ties with his feudal lord to pursue his Catholic faith. — Washington Post, "Rich in dramatic Catholic history, Nagasaki awaits the pope," 20 Nov. 2019 The first settlers in Sadr City, mostly poor farmers and fishermen, came more than 60 years ago to escape the punishing feudal system run by wealthy sheikhs who cared little for those who worked their fields and harvested their date trees. — New York Times, "‘Our Patience Is Over’: Why Iraqis Are Protesting," 20 Nov. 2019 For at least six decades, scholars and policy makers have been aware of the strain placed by India’s feudal system of corporate governance on capital formation, job creation and growth. — Washington Post, "India’s Crony Capitalist Edifice Is Creaking," 25 Mar. 2019 Some of the living bridges of Cherrapunji grew when the feudal kingdom of Ahom, invaders from what is today Myanmar, ruled over the Meghalaya hills. — Paul Salopek, National Geographic, "Living tree bridges in India stand strong for hundreds of years," 11 Nov. 2019 Our guide explained the history of the castle as a lynchpin in feudal ownership through to its service as a university in the mid-1900s. — Amy Nelson, Twin Cities, "A Jewel to Explore: The Emerald Isle of Ireland offers rich history and modern delights," 4 Nov. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

4 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Feudal.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feudal. Accessed 18 January 2020.

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