kingdom

noun

king·​dom ˈkiŋ-dəm How to pronounce kingdom (audio)
1
: a politically organized community or major territorial unit having a monarchical form of government headed by a king or queen
2
often capitalized
a
: the eternal kingship of God
b
: the realm in which God's will is fulfilled
3
a
: a realm or region in which something is dominant
a cattle kingdom
b
: an area or sphere in which one holds a preeminent position
The office was his own private kingdom.
4
a
: one of the three primary divisions into which natural objects are commonly classified compare animal kingdom, mineral kingdom, plant kingdom
b
: a major category (such as Plantae or Protista) in biological taxonomy that ranks above the phylum and below the domain
5
archaic : kingship

Examples of kingdom in a Sentence

After Queen Mary I died, her half sister Elizabeth ruled the kingdom. a studio head who was once the undisputed ruler of the kingdom of Hollywood
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.
These included newspapers from the northern kingdom, and royal almanacs that the king had kept. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025 Critics pointed to his role in the dissolution of the monasteries, an initiative of the English Reformation that saw most of the kingdom’s abbeys and priories shut down, their art and relics destroyed and their wealth diverted to fill the king’s coffers. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025 Snow White was born into a kingdom on the edge of a forest, where happiness flourishes under the benevolent King (Hadley Fraser) and Queen (Lorena Andrea). David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025 Before they were given the keys to the Marvel kingdom, Joe and Anthony Russo were known primarily for their comedy work in movies like You, Me, and Dupree (2006) and shows such as Arrested Development and Community. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kingdom

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

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Cite this Entry

“Kingdom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kingdom. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

kingdom

noun
king·​dom ˈkiŋ-dəm How to pronounce kingdom (audio)
1
: a country whose ruler is a king or queen
2
: a region in which something or someone has very strong influence
the cotton kingdom
3
a
: one of the three primary divisions into which natural objects are classified compare animal kingdom, mineral kingdom, plant kingdom
b
: a major category in the scientific classification of living things that ranks above the phylum and below the domain

Medical Definition

kingdom

noun
king·​dom ˈkiŋ-dəm How to pronounce kingdom (audio)
1
: any of the three primary divisions into which natural objects are grouped see animal kingdom, mineral kingdom, plant kingdom
2
: a major category (as Protista) in biological taxonomy that ranks above the phylum and below the domain

More from Merriam-Webster on kingdom

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