kaiser

noun

kai·​ser ˈkī-zər 

: emperor

especially : the ruler of Germany from 1871 to 1918

kaiserdom

ˈkī-zər-dəm 

noun

kaiserism

ˈkī-zə-ˌri-zəm 

noun

Examples of kaiser in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the course of human events — at the courts of tsars, sultans, kaisers, shahs and the like — fealty has usually trumped expertise. —Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 28 Aug. 2025

King, kaiser, czar, empire, democracy, European civilization, national honor—the reasons, in hindsight, make no sense. —George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025

Doorn’s most famous citizen at the time was Wilhelm II, the German kaiser (emperor) and king of Prussia from 1888 to 1918, who was living there in exile. —Linda Chase, Sun Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2024

Starting at the turn of the previous century, Heilbrunn showcases the myriad ways in which influential conservatives, including many prominent Republicans, fawned over strongmen like the German kaiser and various Cold War-era juntas. —Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old Norse keisari; akin to Old High German keisur emperor; both from a prehistoric Germanic word borrowed from Latin Caesar, cognomen of the Emperor Augustus

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing kaiser

• kaiser roll

Rhymes for kaiser

• geyser
• miser
• riser
• sizer
• visor
• wiser
• advertiser
• analyser
• analyzer
• appetizer
• atomizer
• breathalyzer

Kids Definition

kaiser

noun

kai·​ser ˈkī-zər 

: the ruler of Germany from 1871 to 1918

Etymology

Middle English caisere "emperor," from Old Norse keisari, derived from a Germanic word kaisar "emperor," derived from Latin Caesar (title of a line of Roman emperors after Caesar Augustus) see Word History at emperor

Biographical Definition

Kaiser

biographical name

Kai·​ser ˈkī-zər 

Henry John 1882–1967 American industrialist