Feudalism
//ˈfju.də.lɪ.zəm// noun
noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A social system based on personal ownership of resources and personal fealty between a suzerain (lord) and a vassal (subject). Defining characteristics are direct ownership of resources, personal loyalty, and a hierarchical social structure reinforced by religion. countable, uncountable
"It was the beginning of a feudalism of the range, a barony rude enough, but a glorious one, albeit it began, like all feudalism, in large-handed theft and generous murdering."
- 2 the social system that developed in Europe in the 8th century; vassals were protected by lords who they had to serve in war wordnet
Example
More examples"She wrote a paper on feudalism."
Etymology
From feudal + -ism.
More for "feudalism"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.