overlord

[ oh-ver-lawrd ]

noun

1. a person who is lord over another or over other lords:

   to obey the will of one's sovereign and overlord.

2. a person of great influence, authority, power, or the like:

   the overlords of industry.

verb (used with object)

1. to rule or govern arbitrarily or tyrannically; domineer.

overlord

/ ˈəʊvəˌlɔːd /

noun

1. a supreme lord or master

Derived Forms

• ˈoverˌlordship, noun

Other Words From

• over·lordship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overlord¹

Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200; over-, lord

Example Sentences

A common assumption made by those who are unfamiliar with the Burning Man ethos is that the seven square miles of Black Rock City’s elaborate art installations, sculptures, stages, theme camps and art cars are created by a production overlord like Goldenvoice or Insomniac.

From Los Angeles Times

Lamb recalled the tension as everyone around her prepared for Operation Overlord, the long-awaited invasion of Europe that eventually ended the Nazis’ grip on the continent.

From Seattle Times

As part of the planning for Operation Overlord, Mrs Lamb was stationed in Whitehall, working alone in a basement room.

From BBC

But the success of Operation Overlord depended as much on the elements as military might.

From Seattle Times

“Well, Stagg, we’re putting it back on again,” Eisenhower told his chief forecaster, according to Stagg’s book, “Forecast for Overlord,” Ross said.

From Seattle Times