nobility

noun

no·bil·i·ty | \ nō-ˈbi-lə-tē

Definition of nobility

1 : the quality or state of being noble in character, quality, or rank

2 : the body of persons forming the noble class in a country or state : aristocracy

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about nobility

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Examples of nobility in a Sentence

the nobility of his character They have shown great courage and nobility of purpose.

Recent Examples on the Web

Assigning a special nobility to his country’s role abroad, even (or especially) now, is a way for McCain to keep believing that Americans are ultimately united, instead of terribly divided. — Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, "In ‘The Restless Wave,’ John McCain Says America Is Still Exceptional," 16 May 2018 Walking in pace with an elderly person — nobility or not — are basic manners in almost every culture, noted the Times. — Meagan Fredette, refinery29.com, "Trump Ends Tumultuous U.K. Visit With A Breach In Royal Protocol," 14 July 2018 The realm is full of young people, since adults who were considered a threat by nobility have been killed off. — Darcel Rockett, chicagotribune.com, "Meet Tomi Adeyemi, a former Hinsdale resident who might win Jimmy Fallon's book club contest," 28 June 2018 But so many others are possessed of a dreadful, unremarked upon sameness, and an unremitting nobility that can leave this reader feeling a bit mutinous. — Parul Sehgal, New York Times, "What the Living Can Learn by Looking Death Straight in the Eye," 26 June 2018 By Lady Xia’s day, gibbons had become popular among the nobility as pets and symbols of the class of scholars and officials called Junzi. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Extinct gibbon in ancient Chinese tomb hints at other lost primate species," 22 June 2018 Her subjects ranged from the Habsburg Empire’s high nobility, shown at play in late World War I-era issues of society magazines, to Vienna’s high-culture heartbreaker, Alma Mahler, Gustav’s unfaithful wife. — J.s. Marcus, WSJ, "Faces of Old Vienna," 12 July 2018 Scotland was its own country until 1707, and has its own system of nobility, which is why the titles for royals are different. — Megan Friedman, Harper's BAZAAR, "William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan All Have Different Titles in Scotland," 5 July 2018 In 2005, von Zychlinski’s great-grandson, retired Major Gen. William Willoughby, was found in Chicago, Illinois, and Willoughby's genealogical research offered proof that von Zychinski was indeed of Polish nobility. — Jaimy Jones, Houston Chronicle, "Test your knowledge of Pearland area history," 19 June 2018

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