throne

noun \ ˈthrōn \

Updated on: 19 May 2018

Definition of throne

1 a : the chair of state of a sovereign or high dignitary (such as a bishop)

b : the seat of a deity

2 : royal power and dignity : sovereignty

3 thrones plural : an order of angels — see celestial hierarchy

See throne defined for English-language learners

See throne defined for kids

Examples of throne in a Sentence

The king sat on his throne.
He is next in line for the throne.
the heir to the throne

Recent Examples of throne from the Web

The third in line to the throne will help out his uncle and future aunt on their big day.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Announce Their Bridesmaids and Page Boys," 16 May 2018
Technically, the title of Duke of Edinburgh would go back to the crown after Prince Philip’s death, and then would go to the next-in-line to the throne, so that would be Prince Charles.

— megan friedman, Town & Country, "Why Prince Edward Is Not a Duke, But His Brothers Are," 16 May 2018
Elizabeth later worked out a deal whereby Margaret could relinquish her place in the line of succession to the throne, thus avoiding the need for the queen to sign off.

— karla adam, Washington Post, "How the Church of England has evolved on divorce, from Henry VIII to Meghan Markle," 15 May 2018
The Guests Because Prince Harry is sixth in line to the throne, he's not expected to include all the dignitaries that his brother had to.

— nadia neophytou, Glamour, "How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Royal Wedding Will Differ From Prince William and Kate Middleton's," 15 May 2018
At events attended by multiple royal persons, members of the family enter in reverse order of who’s next in line to the throne, from most junior to most senior, with the queen last of all.

— sarah lyall, BostonGlobe.com, "There’s a big wedding Saturday. Something about a prince marrying an American," 15 May 2018
In 2005, the (divorced) heir to the throne married a divorcee.

— autumn brewington, chicagotribune.com, "5 myths about the British royals," 14 May 2018
His father, Prince Charles, is first in line, his brother, Prince William, is second in line, and William’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, are third, fourth, and fifth in line to the throne, respectively.

— madeleine aggeler, The Cut, "The Everything Guide to Mr. Meghan Markle," 9 May 2018
Mohammed bin Salman becomes Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, making him next in line to the throne.

— margherita stancati, WSJ, "Iran Resists U.S. Demands Before Trump’s Decision on Nuclear Pact," 7 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of throne

Middle English trone, throne, from Anglo-French trone, from Latin thronus, from Greek thronos — more at firm

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1b

See Words from the same year

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

throne

verb

Definition of throne

throned; throning

transitive verb

1 : to seat on a throne

2 : to invest with kingly rank or power

intransitive verb

1 : to sit on a throne

2 : to hold kingly power

Recent Examples of throne from the Web

California currently does not have an official sport, so don’t expect any de-throning drama from other athletes.

— andrea alonso, Los Angeles Magazine, "Surfing Could Become California’s Official Sport—Here Are the Most Beautiful Places to Catch a Wave," 19 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of throne

14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

THRONE Defined for English Language Learners

throne

noun

Definition of throne for English Language Learners

: the special chair for a king, queen, or other powerful person
the throne : the position of king or queen

THRONE Defined for Kids

throne

noun \ ˈthrōn \

Definition of throne for Students

1 : the chair used by a monarch or bishop for ceremonies

2 : the position of king or queen He is heir to the throne.

Learn More about throne

See words that rhyme with throne Spanish Central: Translation of throne Nglish: Translation of throne for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of throne for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about throne

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throne

Definition of throne

Examples of throne in a Sentence

Recent Examples of throne from the Web

Origin and Etymology of throne

Other Government and Politics Terms

throne

Definition of throne

Recent Examples of throne from the Web

First Known Use of throne

Other Government and Politics Terms

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THRONE Defined for English Language Learners

throne

Definition of throne for English Language Learners

THRONE Defined for Kids

throne

Definition of throne for Students

Learn More about throne

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