harem

[ hair-uhm, har- ]

noun

1. the part of a Muslim palace or house reserved for the residence of women.
2. the women in a Muslim household, including the mother, sisters, wives, concubines, daughters, entertainers, and servants.
3. Animal Behavior. a social group of females, as elephant seals, accompanied or followed by one fertile male who denies other males access to the group.
4. Facetious: Sometimes Offensive. a group of women associated in any way with one man or household:

   I really resent it when our boss refers to us as his harem, though he's trying to be funny.

harem

/ hɑːˈriːm; hɑːˈriːm; ˈhɛərəm /

noun

1. the part of an Oriental house reserved strictly for wives, concubines, etc
2. a Muslim's wives and concubines collectively
3. a group of female animals of the same species that are the mates of a single male

Usage Note

In the meaning “a group of women associated with one man,” harem is used for humorous effect. But this sense is sometimes perceived as insulting by or to women because it implies that the man collects women like objects.

Word History and Origins

Origin of harem¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Turkish ḥarem “female quarters,” from Arabic ḥarīm “sacred or inviolable space, sanctuary; female members of a family; harem,” literally, “forbidden,” from ḥarama “to prohibit, deny”

Word History and Origins

Origin of harem¹

C17: from Arabic harīm forbidden (place)

Example Sentences

Demolishing the myth of the happy male lion ruling a pride with a harem of females, "Queer Planet" explains that most male lions will actually spend the majority of their lives with each other.

From Salon

His cloak was as perfumed as a harem.

From Literature

It was peak breeding season; the beach should have been teeming with harems of fertile females and enormous males battling one another for dominance.

From New York Times

Codde said the behavior was unusual not only because the bull elephant seal took an active interest in the pup but because he left his harem of female elephant seals unprotected, SF Gate reported.

From Seattle Times

I've never met anyone who had a family member in a harem, but I don't think it's exactly what people think.

From Salon