baron

noun

bar·​on ˈber-ən 

ˈba-rən

1

a

: one of a class of tenants holding his rights and title by military or other honorable service directly from a feudal superior (such as a king)

b

: a lord of the realm : noble, peer

2

a

: a member of the lowest grade of the peerage in Great Britain

b

: a nobleman on the continent of Europe of varying rank

c

: a member of the lowest order of nobility in Japan

3

: a joint of meat consisting of two sirloins or loins and legs not cut apart at the backbone

a baron of beef

4

: a man who possesses great power or influence in some field of activity

a cattle baron

Synonyms

• magnate
• tycoon
• king

Examples of baron in a Sentence

a media baron who owns newspapers, television and radio stations, and even several cable networks

Recent Examples on the Web

The distillery and gardens remain an iconic part of the town of Rothes, providing a glimpse into both the heritage of whisky-making and the lifestyle of 19th-century Scotland and its whisky barons. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

His wife, known as Livy, was the sheltered daughter of a coal baron. —Dwight Garner, New York Times, 13 May 2025

The sugar barons own thousands of acres in the Glades. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025

In 1867, with the railroad barons steadily gaining power across the United States, a group of angry farmers decided to organize into a trade union known as The Grange. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German baro freeman

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing baron

• robber baron

Rhymes for baron

• barren

Kids Definition

baron

noun

bar·​on ˈbar-ən 

1

: a member of the lowest rank of the British nobility

2

: a person of great power or influence

a cattle baron