harem

American  

[hair-uhm, har-] / ˈhɛər əm, ˈhær- /

Sometimes haram,

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.

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harem British  

/ 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

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of harem

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”

Explanation

A harem is the part of the house in traditional Muslim society reserved for women — either wives, servants, or concubines. Technically a harem is just a living space for women in a society that tends to separate men and women, but when we use harem, we’re often using it in the sense of a room full of women that serve someone powerful, often in a sexual way. Harem can also be used to refer to any flock of doting, servile people that surround someone. A star musician might be surrounded by a harem of devoted fans...really devoted fans.

Example Sentences

Mumtaz Begum, a Muslim, had lived in the harem of its Hindu king, Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar III.

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2025

By rushing down the beach like David Hasselhoff in “Baywatch,” this lifeguard of a seal was not only abandoning his harem of females but also expending valuable energy.

From New York Times • Feb. 7, 2024

As the show progresses, I believe my daughter and her friends will see that "The Golden Bachelor" isn't some primetime trauma dump, any more than it's just some gimmicky harem house but with senior citizens.

From Salon • Oct. 16, 2023

It then became customary for the chief delegate’s wife to visit Hurrem Sultan in the harem.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

She wears a scarf on her head and some brown-and-red gauzy harem pants.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson