royalty

[ roi-uhl-tee ]

noun

, plural roy·al·ties.

1. royal persons collectively.
2. royal status, dignity, or power; sovereignty:

   to be elevated to royalty.

3. a person of royal lineage; member of a royal family.
4. royalties, Archaic. prerogatives, rights, or symbolic emblems of a king, queen, or other sovereign.
5. a royal domain; kingdom; realm.
6. character or quality proper to or befitting a sovereign; nobility.
7. the most well-known and admired member or members of a particular field or category:

   Her parents are Hollywood royalty. The brand is royalty among champagnes.

8. a compensation or portion of the proceeds paid to the owner of a right, as a patent or oil or mineral right, for the use of it.
9. an agreed portion of the income from a work paid to its author, composer, etc., usually a percentage of the retail price of each copy sold.
10. a royal right, as over minerals, granted by a sovereign to a person or corporation.
11. the payment made for such a right.

royalty

/ ˈrɔɪəltɪ /

noun

1. the rank, power, or position of a king or queen
2. 1. royal persons collectively
   2. one who belongs to the royal family
3. any quality characteristic of a monarch; kingliness or regal dignity
4. a percentage of the revenue from the sale of a book, performance of a theatrical work, use of a patented invention or of land, etc, paid to the author, inventor, or proprietor

royalty

1. A payment made for some right or privilege, as when a publisher pays a royalty to an author for the author's granting the publisher the right to sell the author's book.

Other Words From

• non·royal·ty noun plural nonroyalties
• pre·royal·ty noun plural preroyalties

Word History and Origins

Origin of royalty¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English roialte, from Middle French, Old French roialté, derivative of roial; royal, -ty ²

Example Sentences

Another interesting development is the arrival of two freshmen who are part of Los Angeles basketball royalty.

From Los Angeles Times

The pomp and ceremony of royalty doesn’t always sit easily with Prince William, neither does some of the leadership he has seen globally.

From BBC

It's a sign of his view of modern royalty, and came while speaking to reporters at the end of his trip to South Africa for his Earthshot environmental prize.

From BBC

Best known for his use of lotus and peacock motifs, Bal used rich fabrics like velvet and brocade - his designs were elaborate, inspired by Indian grandeur and royalty.

From BBC

The Boone family is baseball royalty, with his grandfather Ray, father Bob and brother Bret enjoying lengthy playing careers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fee
• payment
• percentage
• portion
• share