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• liege
  liege

  noun

  a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service.
• Liège
  Liège

  noun

  a city in E Belgium, on the Meuse River: one of the first cities attacked in World War I.

liege

¹ American  

[leej, leezh] / lidʒ, liʒ /

noun

• lieges
  plural

1. a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service.

2. a feudal vassal or subject.

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adjective

1. owing primary allegiance and service to a feudal lord.

2. pertaining to the relation between a feudal vassal and lord.

3. loyal; faithful.

   the liege adherents of a cause.

Liège ² American  

[lee-eyzh, lyezh] / liˈeɪʒ, ljɛʒ /

noun

1. a city in E Belgium, on the Meuse River: one of the first cities attacked in World War I.

2. a province in E Belgium. 1,521 sq. mi. (3,940 sq. km). Liège.

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liege ¹ British  

/ liːdʒ /

adjective

1. (of a lord) owed feudal allegiance (esp in the phrase liege lord )

2. (of a vassal or servant) owing feudal allegiance

   a liege subject

3. of or relating to the relationship or bond between liege lord and liegeman

   liege homage

4. faithful; loyal

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noun

1. a liege lord

2. a liegeman or true subject

Liège ² British  

/ lɪˈeɪʒ, ljɛʒ /

noun

1. a province of E Belgium: formerly a principality of the Holy Roman Empire, much larger than the present-day province. Pop: 1 029 605 (2004 est). Area: 3877 sq km (1497 sq miles)

2. a city in E Belgium, capital of Liège province: the largest French-speaking city in Belgium; river port and industrial centre. Pop: 185 488 (2004 est)

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• lieges
  plural

Etymology

Origin of liege

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French li ( e ) ge ≪ Germanic *lēt- vassal + Latin -icus -ic; compare Medieval Latin lētī barbarians allowed to settle on Roman land (< Germanic; perhaps akin to let ¹ ), laeticus for *lēticus, derivative of lētī

Explanation

Since modern populations often ignore aristocracy (except in the case of tabloid coverage), many words once used for royalty are now unusual and obscure. Such is the case with liege. If you refer to someone as "my liege" you are probably playing a game. Ah, the Medieval era, where we find the word liege as we know it, a term used by underlings for the lord of their land. The word was probably of Germanic origin, derived from the Medieval Latin laeticus. In an interesting etymological twist, the word at one time meant a leader of a band of free men — pretty much the opposite of its eventual meaning as a feudal lord. The word is not used much today, except in jest (see Python, Monty).

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

liege Liège lieges

“Crimson Sky” enables her to finally exercise her strategic prowess, as Mariko travels to Osaka in a scheme concocted by her liege Hiroyuki Sanada’s Lord Toranaga.

From Salon ● Apr. 17, 2024

“I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God,” William said.

From Seattle Times ● May 6, 2023

I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you, and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb.

From BBC ● May 5, 2023

His eldest son and heir Prince William will then pay homage, kneeling before his father, placing his hands between those of the king and pledging his loyalty as “your liege man of life and limb”.

From Reuters ● May 5, 2023

"My lords," she said then, "Lord Eddard was your liege, but I shared his bed and bore his children. Do you think I love him any less than you?"

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

The University of Liège study adds another piece to that research by suggesting that the relationship between sleep and Alzheimer's risk may begin well before recognizable symptoms emerge.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 29, 2026

In addition to the attack in Liège, the following incidents happened in just the past three weeks:

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026

The findings, led by researchers at the University of Liège, were published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 25, 2026

The film centers around a shelter in Liège, the Dardennes’ hometown, as their handheld camera observes five teen moms.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 16, 2026

There lived at Liège, at the end of the twelfth century, a priest named Lambert le Bègues.

From Matelda and the Cloister of Hellfde Extracts from the Book of Matilda of Magdeburg by Matilda of Magdeburg

He nods slightly to his lieges, who nervously stand aside.

From Time Magazine Archive

Less easily fixed is the ! breach of the implicit contract between the princes and their lieges.

From Time Magazine Archive

Somewhere out there, all the lords and ladies and lieges ruling over far-flung Courts are arriving to pay their respects to the new High King.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

Who gave him authority to make convocation of my lieges?

From John Knox by William M. (William Mackergo) Taylor

The bucket was there, and the marquis delivered a learned lecture on it to somewhat apprehensive lieges.

From The Maid of Honour, Vol. 1 (of 3) A Tale of the Dark Days of France by Lewis Wingfield