overlord

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

overlordship

2 of 2

noun (2)

over·​lord·​ship

: the position, power, or authority of an overlord

Examples of overlord in a Sentence

Noun (1)

He is the overlord of the underground gambling industry.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The story line has nothing to do with Queen but instead centers on a tale about rebel Earthlings overthrowing their cruel overlords. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 18 June 2026

Yes, other Hollywood depictions of the future had predicted similar technology over the years, but guess what year Apple overlord Steve Jobs announced the breakthrough videotelephony product known as FaceTime? — Dan Snierson, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026

There's absolutely no demand for this, it's just foisted upon us by our cultural overlords. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026

After a brief burst of good ratings results, CBS News is once against under a dark cloud of allegations of MAGA appeasement and corporate-overlord overreach. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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