lord

[ lawrd ]

noun

1. a person who has authority, control, or power over others; a master, chief, or ruler.
2. a person who exercises authority from property rights; an owner of land, houses, etc.
3. a person who is a leader or has great influence in a chosen profession:

   the great lords of banking.

4. a feudal superior; the proprietor of a manor.
5. a titled nobleman or peer; a person whose ordinary appellation contains by courtesy the title Lord or some higher title.
6. Lords, the Lords Spiritual and Lords Temporal comprising the House of Lords
7. Lord, (in Britain)
   1. the title of certain high officials (used with some other title, name, or the like):

      Lord Mayor of London.

   2. the formally polite title of a bishop:

      Lord Bishop of Durham.

   3. the title informally substituted for Marquis, Earl, Viscount, etc., as in the use of Lord Kitchener for Earl Kitchener.
8. Lord, the Supreme Being; God.
9. Lord, Christianity. the Savior, Jesus Christ.
10. Astrology. a planet having dominating influence.

interjection

1. Often Lord. (used in exclamatory phrases to express surprise, elation, etc.):

   Lord, what a beautiful day!

lord

¹

/ lɔːd /

noun

1. a person who has power or authority over others, such as a monarch or master
2. a male member of the nobility, esp in Britain
3. (in medieval Europe) a feudal superior, esp the master of a manor Compare lady
4. a husband considered as head of the household (archaic except in the facetious phrase lord and master )
5. astrology a planet having a dominating influence
6. my lord
   a respectful form of address used to a judge, bishop, or nobleman

verb

1. rare.
   tr to make a lord of (a person)
2. to act in a superior manner towards (esp in the phrase lord it over )

Lord

²

/ lɔːd /

noun

1. a title given to God or Jesus Christ
2. 1. a title given to men of high birth, specifically to an earl, marquess, baron, or viscount
   2. a courtesy title given to the younger sons of a duke or marquess
   3. the ceremonial title of certain high officials or of a bishop or archbishop

      Lord Bishop of Durham

      Law Lord

      Lord Mayor

      Lord of Appeal

interjection

1. sometimes not capital an exclamation of dismay, surprise, etc

   Lord only knows!

   Good Lord!

Derived Forms

• ˈlordˌlike, adjective
• ˈlordless, adjective

Other Words From

• lord·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lord¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English lord, lover(e)d, Old English hlāford, hlāfweard literally, “loaf-keeper”; loaf ¹, ward; lady ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of lord¹

Old English hlāford bread keeper; see loaf ¹, ward

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. lord it, to assume airs of importance and authority; behave arrogantly or dictatorially; domineer:

   to lord it over the menial workers.

More idioms and phrases containing lord

In addition to the idiom beginning with lord , also see drunk as a lord .

Example Sentences

The sentencing review is now open for submissions from the public about how the prison system can be improved and will submit findings to the Lord Chancellor by Spring 2025.

From BBC

The Football Governance Bill, which would lead to the creation of a regulator, was debated in the House of Lords on Wednesday.

From BBC

The hearing is expected to continue tomorrow but Lord Ericht is not expected to issue his judgment for some weeks or months.

From BBC

Its second reading is due to take place in the House of Lords on 15 November.

From BBC

About 40 peers are scheduled to speak in the House of Lords before any potential amendments are debated.

From BBC