suzerainty

[ soo-zuh-rin-tee, -reyn- ]

noun

, plural su·ze·rain·ties.

1. the position or authority of a suzerain.
2. the domain or area subject to a suzerain.

suzerainty

/ ˈsuːzərəntɪ /

noun

1. the position, power, or dignity of a suzerain
2. the relationship between suzerain and subject

Word History and Origins

Origin of suzerainty¹

1815–25; < French suzeraineté, Middle French suserenete, equivalent to suseren suzerain + -ete -ity

Example Sentences

Russian suzerainty over Belarus expanded after large-scale protests in 2020 and has only grown over the course of the war.

From New York Times

Over the centuries, Tibet evolved from a collection of kingdoms to something like a unified state that accepted suzerainty under successive Chinese imperial dynasties that ruled until 1912.

From Seattle Times

The first might be difficult to deliver because it depends on the goodwill of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is bent on undermining any Ukrainian government that will not accept his suzerainty.

From Washington Post

Despite being under Ankara’s suzerainty, the ruling demonstrated that Turkish Cypriots continued to enjoy an independent legal system, he said.

From The Guardian

In this light, parenting itself is best understood as a kind of suzerainty.

From The Guardian