Definition of LORD (original) (raw)
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
d
obsolete : the male head of a household
f
: one that has achieved mastery or that exercises leadership or great power in some area
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
(3)
: the son of a duke or a marquess or the eldest son of an earl
(4)
: a bishop of the Church of England
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
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
: to act like a lord
especially : to put on airs —usually used with it
lords it over his friends
Synonyms of lord
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
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.
Ritsurin was built 400 years ago as a daimyo garden for feudal lords to stroll in. —
Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026 After three years of homelessness, she was recruited to model for Vivienne Westwood and ended up marrying a lord. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Joe is lording over his fiefdom from his den, designed in perfect Don Corleone-chic decor, when his fax machine buzzes to life. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026 Surely, being able to lord the video over Josh couldn’t have been worth this. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lord
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English loverd, lord, from Old English hlāford, from hlāf loaf + weard keeper — more at loaf, ward
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of lord was before the 12th century
Browse Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
“Lord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lord. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
More from Merriam-Webster on lord
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!