scepter

1 of 2

noun

scep·​ter ˈsep-tər How to pronounce scepter (audio)
1
: a staff or baton borne by a sovereign as an emblem of authority
2
: royal or imperial authority : sovereignty

Illustration of scepter

Illustration of scepter
  • scepter 1

scepter

2 of 2

verb

sceptered; sceptering ˈsep-t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce scepter (audio)

transitive verb

: to invest with the scepter in token of royal authority

Examples of scepter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Why would Prime ever want to cede that scepter to anyone else? Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 19 Nov. 2024 The garment was discovered in Tomb II alongside a golden scepter, oak wreath and diadem of Persian origins and near depictions of Persian gazelles in the tomb's frieze. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
People file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and scepter, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall on Sept. 15, 2022, in London. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 15 Sep. 2022 See all Example Sentences for scepter 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sceptre, from Anglo-French septre, from Latin sceptrum, from Greek skēptron staff, scepter, from skēptesthai to prop oneself — more at shaft

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1526, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scepter was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near scepter

Cite this Entry

“Scepter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scepter. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

scepter

noun
scep·​ter
ˈsep-tər
1
: a baton carried by a ruler as an emblem of authority
2
: authority of an empire or a ruler : sovereignty
sceptered
-tərd
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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