# Lords

/ˈɫɔɹdz/ (US) · /lˈɔːdz/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. noble men

noun · CEFR B2

men who have a high social rank or a title like 'Lord'.

For teachers: plural form of lord; men of high noble rank or those holding a title of peerage.

- In the old stories, the lords and ladies lived in large stone castles.
- The local lords were summoned to the capital to swear their allegiance to the new monarch during the coronation ceremony.

### 2. UK Parliament

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Formal

a short way to say the 'House of Lords', which is part of the UK government.

For teachers: an elliptical reference to the House of Lords, the upper chamber of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

- The new law was debated in the Lords before it was finally passed.
- Constitutional experts argued that the Lords might delay the legislation, despite the government's significant majority in the Commons.

## Examples

- The Lords will vote on the new law tomorrow.
- The proposed legislation was sent back to the Commons after the Lords suggested several important amendments.
- Constitutional scholars often debate the relevance of the Lords in a modern democracy, specifically regarding their power to delay bills passed by the elected chamber.

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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.