realm

[ relm ]

noun

1. a royal domain; kingdom:

   the realm of England.

2. the region, sphere, or domain within which anything occurs, prevails, or dominates:

   the realm of dreams.

3. the special province or field of something or someone:

   the realm of physics; facts within the realm of political scientists.

realm

/ rɛlm /

noun

1. a royal domain; kingdom (now chiefly in such phrases as Peer of the Realm )
2. a field of interest, study, etc

   the realm of the occult

Other Words From

• under·realm noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of realm¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English realme, reaume, Old French reialme, from Latin regimen “guidance, direction, rule,” influenced by Old French reial “royal” ( royal )

Word History and Origins

Origin of realm¹

C13: from Old French reialme , from Latin regimen rule, influenced by Old French reial royal, from Latin rēgālis regal ¹

Synonym Study

See kingdom.

Example Sentences

"But we're fighting a war against a vicious enemy and we must have the right to use everything we need within the realm of international law to defend ourselves," he said.

From BBC

Their solidarity supercharges the movie, sending it into unlikely, near-fantastical realms.

From Los Angeles Times

Nature makes most of the decisions about how a dinosaur mount will look, but there is a little room for interpretation within the realm of the scientifically plausible.

From Los Angeles Times

All of this might have remained in the realm of intellectual exploit had Tanton not begun to formalize and evangelize his beliefs.

From Salon

It's still just barely within the realm of possibility that Democrats can win control of the House, which would add a necessary check on budgeting and appropriations.

From Salon

Related Words

• dimension
• domain
• field
• sphere
• territory
• world