1
: one having power and authority over others:
a
: a ruler by hereditary right or preeminence to whom service and obedience are due
b
: one of whom a fee or estate is held in feudal tenure
c
: an owner of land or other real (see real entry 1 sense 2) property
d
obsolete
: the male head of a household
e
: husband
f
: one that has achieved mastery or that exercises leadership or great power in some area
a drug lord
2
3
: a man of rank or high position: such as
a
: a feudal tenant whose right or title comes directly from the king
b
: a British nobleman: such as
(1)
(3)
: the son of a duke or a marquess or the eldest son of an earl
(4)
: a bishop of the Church of England
c
4
—used as a British title: such as
a
—used as part of an official title
Lord Advocate
Lord Mayor
b
—used informally in place of the full title for a marquess, earl, or viscount
c
—used for a baron
d
—used by courtesy before the name and surname of a younger son of a duke or a marquess
5
: a person chosen to preside over a festival
lorded; lording; lords
: to act like a lord
especially
: to put on airs
—usually used with it
lords it over his friends
Examples of lord in a Sentence
Noun
He became a lord upon the death of his father.
as lords of the local real estate scene, they own nearly all of the city's prime pieces of property
Verb
waiters at that fancy restaurant like to lord it over the customers, acting like they're doing them a favor just being there
Recent Examples on the Web
Samantha Conti, WWD, 5 Mar. 2025
The removal of the drug lords from Mexico coincided with a visit to Washington by Mexico's Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente and other top economic and military officials.
—CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025
Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
Two crones in Budapest are lording over a cauldron of goulash right now discussing the game.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lord
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Noun
Photographed by Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca, and produced by Nada Marketing y Comunicación S.L., the images show the high-octane duo sharing quality moments dressed in formal and casual clothing and looking every inch the lords of the manor.
—Samantha Conti, WWD, 5 Mar. 2025
The removal of the drug lords from Mexico coincided with a visit to Washington by Mexico's Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente and other top economic and military officials.
—CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
True to their nickname, the Archbishop Mitty Monarchs have lorded over girls basketball in the Central Coast Section for years.
—Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
Two crones in Budapest are lording over a cauldron of goulash right now discussing the game.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lord
Articles Related to lord
Cite this Entry
“Lord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lord. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lord
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a person who has power and authority
especially
: a ruler to whom service and obedience are due
b
: a person from whom a feudal estate is held
2
3
: a man of rank or high position: as
a
: a feudal tenant holding his estate directly from the king
b
: a British nobleman or a bishop entitled to sit in the House of Lords
—used as a title
c
lord
2 of 2 verb
: to act as if having the rank or power of a lord : domineer
—used with it
lording it over her younger brothers
Etymology
Noun
Old English hlāford "lord," literally, "bread keeper," from hlāf "loaf of bread" and weard "keeper, guard" — related to lady, loaf see Word History at lady
Word Origin
The word lord comes from the Old English word hlāford. This word was formed from the words hlāf, meaning "loaf of bread," and weard, meaning "keeper, guard." This "bread keeper," however, actually had no more to do with bread than our modern "breadwinner." The hlāford was much more important than his title suggests. He was the head of a great household and had power and authority over many people. The related word lady developed in much the same way.
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