scepter

1 of 2

noun

scep·​ter ˈsep-tər 

1

: a staff or baton borne by a sovereign as an emblem of authority

2

: royal or imperial authority : sovereignty

Illustration of scepter

• scepter 1

scepter

2 of 2

verb

sceptered; sceptering ˈsep-t(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to invest with the scepter in token of royal authority

Examples of scepter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And cultural touchstones are everywhere, like a jar of agua fresca in which a head is submerged at the birthday celebration, and a quinceañera tiara and scepter embedded in a victim. — Eve Chen, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

The intimate, high-design interior is replete with a royal scepter–like shifter, rich wood veneers, and unblemished hides sourced from Scandinavian bulls. — Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 12 June 2026

Many of Furgeson’s subjects were displeased by his haughty musings, which would seem less out of place if he was garbed in a royal mantle and wielding a golden scepter. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 4 June 2026

The winning look was a custom Atelier Versace number with a matching scepter, which Gaga previously sported during the 2012 Grammys. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 1 May 2026

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

Rhymes for scepter

• sceptre
• acceptor
• preceptor
• receptor
• adrenoceptor
• baroreceptor
• photoreceptor
• chemoreceptor
• interceptor

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