overlord

noun

over·​lord ˈō-vər-ˌlȯrd 

1

: a lord over other lords : a lord paramount

2

a

: an absolute or supreme ruler

b

: one having great power or authority

a corporate overlord

overlordship

ˈō-vər-ˌlȯrd-ˌship 

ˌō-vər-ˈlȯrd-

noun

Examples of overlord in a Sentence

He is the overlord of the underground gambling industry.

Recent Examples on the Web

Maybe my argument was so strong, the AI would realize that its tech overlords were using this insanely powerful technology not to solve hunger or climate change, but to make reading less essential. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Researchers have warned for years that rogue AI models could one day become powerful enough to escape the clutches of their human overlords. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 9 Sep. 2026

Ironically, the aesthetic language of the old colonial overlords helped negotiate between conflicting sensitivities and aspirations. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026

In the Forties and Fifties, Europeans were in no position to challenge their American overlords. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overlord

• checkerboard
• clavichord
• fiberboard
• fibreboard
• fingerboard
• harpsichord
• motherboard
• notochord
• overboard
• paperboard
• plasterboard
• shuffleboard

Kids Definition

overlord

noun

over·​lord ˈō-vər-ˌlȯ(ə)rd 

1

: a lord who rules over other lords

2

: an absolute or supreme ruler