harem

noun

har·​em ˈher-əm 

1

a

: a usually secluded house or part of a house allotted to women in some Muslim households

b

: the wives, concubines, female relatives, and servants occupying a harem

2

informal : a group of women associated with one man

the pop star and his harem

3

: a group of females associated with one male

—used of polygamous animals

Researchers who study elk have determined that the males who possess the largest harems of females not only sport the largest racks of antlers, but also the most symmetrical ones.

—Natalie Angier

Did you know?

In a Muslim household, a harem is a part of a house set apart for women and from which nonfamily males are excluded. Harems existed in the pre-Islamic civilizations of the Middle East and in the courts of pre-Islamic Assyria, Persia, and Egypt. The harem was also found in the courts of China and Japan as well as in India and southeast Asia. Large harems for wives and concubines were common in wealthy Arab households into the 20th century; the great harem of the Turkish sultans (15th–20th century) contained several hundred women, guarded by eunuchs. By the later 20th century, the full harem system remained only among conservative elements of Arab society.

Examples of harem in a Sentence

the pop star and his harem

Recent Examples on the Web

These multi-ton giants fight to keep their harem of females. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Genghis Khan’s sons may have followed in their father’s footsteps and had large harems. —Laura Clark, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 June 2024

Every red-blooded American male has no doubt fantasized about what went on in Hugh Hefner’s bedroom with his harem of blond bombshells. —Alex Apatoff, Peoplemag, 24 Jan. 2024

In her Venus Envy series of installations, Mesa-Bains looks at gendered spaces like convents or harems. —Brian T. Allen, National Review, 13 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Arabic ḥarīm, literally, something forbidden & ḥaram, literally, sanctuary

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing harem

• harem pants

Kids Definition

harem

noun

har·​em ˈhar-əm 

ˈher-

1

a

: the rooms set apart for the women in some Muslim households

b

: the women of some Muslim households

2

: a group of female animals (as horses) associated with one male