kingship

American  

[king-ship] / ˈkɪŋ ʃɪp /

noun

1. the state, office, or dignity of a king.

2. rule by a king; monarchy.

3. aptitude for kingly duties.

4. (initial capital letter) a title used in referring to a king: Majesty (preceded by His orYour ).

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kingship British  

/ ˈkɪŋʃɪp /

noun

1. the position or authority of a king

2. the skill or practice of ruling as a king

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Etymology

Origin of kingship

First recorded in 1275–1325, kingship is from the Middle English word kingscip. See king, -ship

Example Sentences

In 1415, on the eve of challenging France at the Battle of Agincourt, he agonizes about the moral burdens of kingship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

The defining attribute of a dictatorship, as well as of kingship in its ancient and absolute form, is the assertion that law—its making, interpretation, adjudication, and enforcement—is an emanation of the will of one man.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2025

Water lilies symbolized "Classic Maya kingship," Lucero wrote.

From Science Daily • Oct. 9, 2023

Buthelezi's candidate for kingship prevailed, but a dispute over the chairmanship of the Ingonyama Trust Board - which manages vast tracts of royal land - caused vicious infighting.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2023

He then declared his independent kingship, sending an army to attack Egypt in concert with the Seleucid king An- tiochus I’s invasion from the east in 274.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro