feudalism

feu·dal·ism | \ ˈfyü-də-ˌli-zəm

Definition of feudalism

1 : the system of political organization prevailing in Europe from the 9th to about the 15th centuries having as its basis the relation of lord to vassal (see vassal sense 1) with all land held in fee (see fee sense 1) and as chief characteristics homage, the service of tenants under arms and in court, wardship (see wardship sense 1), and forfeiture (see forfeiture sense 1)

2 : any of various political or social systems similar to medieval feudalism

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Examples of feudalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Brand Sussex represents the biggest threat to the monarchy so far MARX PREDICTED that capitalism would destroy every remnant of feudalism. — The Economist, "Bagehot Harry, Meghan and Marx," 14 Jan. 2020 Family farmers say concentrating farmland among a few big companies is akin to feudalism, and un-American. — Alana Semuels / Fremont, Time, "'They're Trying to Wipe Us Off the Map.' Small American Farmers Are Nearing Extinction," 27 Nov. 2019 We’re over two decades into an era of digital feudalism. — Don Tapscott, Quartz, "We’re living in an era of digital feudalism. Here’s how to take your data and identity back," 11 Sep. 2019 What better place to beta-test the future of digital feudalism? — Gregory Barber, WIRED, "Inside an All-White Town’s Divisive Experiment With Cryptocurrency," 6 June 2019 In Europe, this started to change after the French Revolution, which abolished feudalism and serfdom. — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, "What If There Were No Borders?," 30 Nov. 2018 To a largely illiterate society trying to overcome feudalism, these posters again give us insight into how the new Soviet government wanted to emphasize progress. — Anne Tschida, miamiherald, "The Power of Propaganda," 22 June 2018 In 2017, a form of data feudalism governs the digital ecosystem: Private companies control and reap value from big data with few obligations to the very people who generate their most prized asset. — Michelle De Mooy, Fortune, "Is Equifax Going to Be Punished for Losing Our Data?," 12 Sep. 2017 Marx saw socialism as a new mode of production that would follow capitalism the same way that capitalism had followed feudalism. — John B. Judis, New Republic, "The Socialism America Needs Now," 24 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feudalism.' 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

16 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Feudalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feudalism. Accessed 17 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for feudalism

feudalism

noun

English Language Learners Definition of feudalism

: a social system that existed in Europe during the Middle Ages in which people worked and fought for nobles who gave them protection and the use of land in return

See the full definition for feudalism in the English Language Learners Dictionary

feudalism

noun

feu·dal·ism | \ ˈfyü-də-ˌliz-əm