What does "realm" mean?

1. (area of interest or activity) a specific area of knowledge, interest, or activity. 2. (a kingdom) a country or territory ruled by a king or queen. 3. (biological division) a very large area of the world where specific types of animals and plants live. 4. (virus classification) the highest level used to group different types of viruses.

realm

US //ˈɹɛɫm// UK //ɹˈɛlm// realm

1 area of interest or activity (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a specific area of knowledge, interest, or activity.

a metaphorical sphere or domain of activity, thought, or knowledge.

Example

The discovery was a major breakthrough in the realm of science.

Example

Such theoretical questions fall outside the realm of practical politics and are better suited for academic debate.
2 a kingdom (n.)
C1 Advanced Literary Formal

a country or territory ruled by a king or queen.

a community or territory over which a sovereign rules; a kingdom.

Example

The knights swore to protect the peace of the realm.

Example

The monarch sought to expand the borders of the realm through a series of strategic alliances and marriages.

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3 biological division (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Science

a very large area of the world where specific types of animals and plants live.

a primary biogeographic division of the Earth's surface, such as the Nearctic or Palearctic.

Example

Australia belongs to a unique biological realm with many animals found nowhere else.

Example

Biogeographers divide the terrestrial world into several distinct realms based on the evolutionary history of the flora and fauna found therein.
- bioregion
- eco zone
4 virus classification (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Science

the highest level used to group different types of viruses.

the highest taxonomic rank used in the classification of viruses.

Example

Scientists placed the new virus into a specific realm based on its genetic structure.

Example

In viral taxonomy, the rank of realm was established to accommodate the vast genetic diversity that exceeds the traditional kingdom level.

Origin

From Middle English rewme, realme, reaume, from Old French reaume, realme, reialme (“kingdom”), of unclear origins. A postulated *rēgālimen (“domain, kingdom”), Late Latin or Vulgar Latin cross of regimen with rēgālis is usually cited. The modern spelling predominates from around 1600. The modern pronunciation with /l/ is either a spelling pronunciation or influenced by the etymology.