# lord

/ˈɫɔɹd/ (US) · /lˈɔːd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lord
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a man who has a lot of power or a high social rank, like a king or a noble. In some religions, people use this name to talk about God.

For teachers: a person who has authority, control, or power over others; a master or ruler. When capitalized, it functions as a title for a nobleman or as a designation for a deity in monotheistic religions.

## Examples

- The Lord of the manor owned all the surrounding land.
- In the British political system, a Lord sits in the upper house of Parliament to review new laws.
- The historical transition from feudalism saw the absolute power of the local Lord gradually replaced by centralized state authority and the rule of common law.

## Usage notes

- Capitalized when used as a specific title or to refer to a deity; lowercase when used as a general term for a ruler.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.