personal union

noun

: a union of two states constituted by their becoming subject to the same personal ruler without loss of independent sovereignty

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Queen Isabella of Castile and King Ferdinand of Aragon forged the identity of the Spanish nation through their personal union, which bound together what had been disparate and fractious kingdoms. —

Razib Khan, National Review, 31 July 2021

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

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of personal union was in 1864

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near personal union

personalty

personal union

personal worth

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Personal union.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personal%20union. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

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