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baronet

American  
[bar-uh-nit, bar-uh-net] / ˈbær ə nɪt, ˌbær əˈnɛt /

noun

  1. a member of a British hereditary order of honor, ranking below the barons and made up of commoners, designated by Sir before the name and Baronet, usually abbreviated Bart., after.

    Sir John Smith, Bart.
baronet British  
/ -ˌnɛt, ˈbærənɪt /

noun

  1. Abbreviation: Bart..   Bt.  (in Britain) a commoner who holds the lowest hereditary title of honour, ranking below a baron

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • baronetical adjective

Etymology

Origin of baronet

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at baron, -et

Explanation

A baronet is a fancy title in British nobility, ranking below a baron but above most knights. Unlike knighthood, the title of baronet is hereditary, meaning it is passed down to the descendants of the person who originally held it. The baronet title was created in the early 17th century by King James I in order to raise funds for the British crown. Originally, those who wanted the title had to pay a sum of money to the king. The title comes with a coat of arms, as well as other privileges and recognition. Like knights, a male baronet uses the prefix Sir before his name. Women and girls who carry the baronet title are referred to as baronetess and use the prefix Dame before their names.

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Vocabulary lists containing baronet

"The Prince and the Pauper," Vocabulary from the drama

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She is also cushioned by wealth, her father being a baronet with connections and a country estate.

From Seattle Times • May 23, 2023

After the coronation, the king made Treves a baronet.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2023

Born into the family of an English baronet, young Lindsay-Hogg grew up among the small world of Hollywood royalty.

From Salon • Dec. 1, 2021

Victorian-era baronet Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson waged a long and sometimes bitter campaign against powerful neighbours to win the right to build on Hampstead Heath, land that he owned.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2021

Before Kenyon had got the airship in focus the baronet had also spotted it.

From The Airship "Golden Hind" by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.