feudal system

[ fyood-l sis-tuhm ]

noun

1. the political, military, and social system in medieval Europe, based on the holding of lands in fief or fee and on the resulting relations between lord and vassal.
2. a system of political, economic, and social organization similar to the system in the Middle Ages:

   The emancipation of the serfs in 1861 under Alexander II signaled the end of the feudal system in Russia.

Word History and Origins

Origin of feudal system¹

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

Mr Gove has labelled leaseholds "an outdated feudal system that needs to go", and the bill proposes reform to leasehold for new houses.

From BBC

Conservative peer Lord Young, a former minister, said he welcomed the bill but that it did not do what Housing Secretary Michael Gove originally promised - to "liberate people" from "an outdated, feudal system".

From BBC

The largely rural population is scattered over the mountainous landscape, crippled by an entrenched feudal system, under-development and neglect by the local and central government.

From Seattle Times

In the Medieval period, Europe had a feudal system in which kings granted land to nobles, landlords and knights in exchange for military assistance in wartime.

From Scientific American

The incident ended with the Chinese taking over Tibet's government and dissolving what they say was a feudal system.

From BBC