1
: one having power and authority over others:
a
: a ruler by hereditary right or preeminence to whom service and obedience are due
b
: one of whom a fee or estate is held in feudal tenure
c
: an owner of land or other real (see real entry 1 sense 2) property
d
obsolete
: the male head of a household
e
: husband
f
: one that has achieved mastery or that exercises leadership or great power in some area
a drug lord
2
3
: a man of rank or high position: such as
a
: a feudal tenant whose right or title comes directly from the king
b
: a British nobleman: such as
(1)
(3)
: the son of a duke or a marquess or the eldest son of an earl
(4)
: a bishop of the Church of England
c
4
—used as a British title: such as
a
—used as part of an official title
Lord Advocate
Lord Mayor
b
—used informally in place of the full title for a marquess, earl, or viscount
c
—used for a baron
d
—used by courtesy before the name and surname of a younger son of a duke or a marquess
5
: a person chosen to preside over a festival
lorded; lording; lords
: to act like a lord
especially
: to put on airs
—usually used with it
lords it over his friends
Synonyms
Examples of lord in a Sentence
Noun
He became a lord upon the death of his father.
as lords of the local real estate scene, they own nearly all of the city's prime pieces of property
Recent Examples on the Web
Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Sep. 2023
Atop Malibu Canyon peak in the Santa Monica Mountains, the high-altitude villa lords over Malibu with far-reaching vistas of the California coastline.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2023
Trailer | Better Call Saul Watch on A spin-off of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul is a prequel series focusing on Saul Goodman, a criminal lawyer who puts aside his morals to work alongside various drug lords.
—Milan Polk, Men's Health, 13 Aug. 2023
When the Jedi were betrayed and hunted by Order 66, and Anakin’s descent as a Sith lord took hold, Ahsoka narrowly escaped with her life.
—Eric Francisco, Men's Health, 22 Aug. 2023
Having said that, nobody wants to be in an abusive relationship in which one group kind of lords over the other and slowly but surely diminishes returns for them.
—Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 July 2023
Indeed, across the whole span of human history, just one method ever curbed bad behavior by villains, ranging from thieves to kings and feudal lords.
—WIRED, 6 July 2023
The script prior to this point is your standard high fantasy fare, full of lords, sires, and language that clearly denotes social standing.
—Josh Broadwell, Variety, 21 June 2023
His assistance resulted in the arrest of multiple Detroit drug lords, but by 16, he was no longer needed by the FBI and turned to selling drugs himself.
—Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press, 10 May 2023
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2023
As a global powerhouse in tech manufacturing, Kord lords over nearly every facet of life in Palmera City.
—Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 16 Aug. 2023
William’s new wife, Sarah, formerly his servant, sees the Claimant as a victim of the same establishment that lorded over her own working-class family.
—Adam Kirsch, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
The drill sergeant-like coach, lording over brutal training sessions, is part of the sport’s lore.
—Gus Garcia-Roberts, Anchorage Daily News, 15 July 2023
It’s emphasized when male leadership sits up on the stand, perusing and lording over their congregation while their wives tend to small children in the pews.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023
Nathan Howard—Bloomberg via Getty Images Jamie Dimon has lorded over JPMorgan Chase & Co. for more than 17 years, quadrupling the stock price and captivating legions with candid comments and occasional zingers on the economy, regulators and politicians.
—Tanaz Meghjani, Fortune, 24 July 2023
There are many places to take in the city’s mind blowing vistas, like hiking to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue that lords over the city, or by taking a cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain.
—Mercedes Bleth, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 July 2023
No one lords over a cult of personality right now, actively or passively, quite like Joni Mitchell.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 14 June 2023
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Noun
Bo’s been commissioned to kill an anonymous rival (too generic to be of much interest) by resident crime lord Pepe (Stet Blancett), who promises his typically obedient hit man a share in his empire.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Sep. 2023
Atop Malibu Canyon peak in the Santa Monica Mountains, the high-altitude villa lords over Malibu with far-reaching vistas of the California coastline.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2023
Trailer | Better Call Saul Watch on A spin-off of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul is a prequel series focusing on Saul Goodman, a criminal lawyer who puts aside his morals to work alongside various drug lords.
—Milan Polk, Men's Health, 13 Aug. 2023
When the Jedi were betrayed and hunted by Order 66, and Anakin’s descent as a Sith lord took hold, Ahsoka narrowly escaped with her life.
—Eric Francisco, Men's Health, 22 Aug. 2023
Having said that, nobody wants to be in an abusive relationship in which one group kind of lords over the other and slowly but surely diminishes returns for them.
—Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 July 2023
Indeed, across the whole span of human history, just one method ever curbed bad behavior by villains, ranging from thieves to kings and feudal lords.
—WIRED, 6 July 2023
The script prior to this point is your standard high fantasy fare, full of lords, sires, and language that clearly denotes social standing.
—Josh Broadwell, Variety, 21 June 2023
His assistance resulted in the arrest of multiple Detroit drug lords, but by 16, he was no longer needed by the FBI and turned to selling drugs himself.
—Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press, 10 May 2023
Verb
One of Santa Monica’s most stylish hotels has reeled in an equally swish yacht for guests.
, which has lorded over Ocean Avenue for 90 years, recently announced three new packages centered around an elegant Riva 63 Virtus.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2023
As a global powerhouse in tech manufacturing, Kord lords over nearly every facet of life in Palmera City.
—Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 16 Aug. 2023
William’s new wife, Sarah, formerly his servant, sees the Claimant as a victim of the same establishment that lorded over her own working-class family.
—Adam Kirsch, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
The drill sergeant-like coach, lording over brutal training sessions, is part of the sport’s lore.
—Gus Garcia-Roberts, Anchorage Daily News, 15 July 2023
It’s emphasized when male leadership sits up on the stand, perusing and lording over their congregation while their wives tend to small children in the pews.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023
Nathan Howard—Bloomberg via Getty Images Jamie Dimon has lorded over JPMorgan Chase & Co. for more than 17 years, quadrupling the stock price and captivating legions with candid comments and occasional zingers on the economy, regulators and politicians.
—Tanaz Meghjani, Fortune, 24 July 2023
There are many places to take in the city’s mind blowing vistas, like hiking to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue that lords over the city, or by taking a cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain.
—Mercedes Bleth, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 July 2023
No one lords over a cult of personality right now, actively or passively, quite like Joni Mitchell.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 14 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lord.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English loverd, lord, from Old English hlāford, from hlāf loaf + weard keeper — more at loaf, ward
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of lord was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing lord
Dictionary Entries Near lord
Cite this Entry
“Lord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lord. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
lord
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a person who has power and authority
especially
: a ruler to whom service and obedience are due
b
: a person from whom a feudal estate is held
2
3
: a man of rank or high position: as
a
: a feudal tenant holding his estate directly from the king
b
: a British nobleman or a bishop entitled to sit in the House of Lords
—used as a title
c
lord
2 of 2 verb
: to act as if having the rank or power of a lord : domineer
—used with it
lording it over her younger brothers
Etymology
Noun
Old English hlāford "lord," literally, "bread keeper," from hlāf "loaf of bread" and weard "keeper, guard" — related to lady, loaf see Word History at lady
Word Origin
The word lord comes from the Old English word hlāford. This word was formed from the words hlāf, meaning "loaf of bread," and weard, meaning "keeper, guard." This "bread keeper," however, actually had no more to do with bread than our modern "breadwinner." The hlāford was much more important than his title suggests. He was the head of a great household and had power and authority over many people. The related word lady developed in much the same way.
More from Merriam-Webster on lord
Nglish: Translation of lord for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of lord for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lord
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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