1
: a politically organized community or major territorial unit having a monarchical form of government headed by a king or queen
2
often capitalized
a
: the eternal kingship of God
b
: the realm in which God's will is fulfilled
3
a
: a realm or region in which something is dominant
a cattle kingdom
b
: an area or sphere in which one holds a preeminent position
The office was his own private kingdom.
4
a
: one of the three primary divisions into which natural objects are commonly classified compare animal kingdom, mineral kingdom, plant kingdom
b
: a major category (such as Plantae or Protista) in biological taxonomy that ranks above the phylum and below the domain
5
archaic : kingship

Examples of kingdom in a Sentence

After Queen Mary I died, her half sister Elizabeth ruled the kingdom. a studio head who was once the undisputed ruler of the kingdom of Hollywood
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sunday, December 29 The Wonderful World of Disney Presents Frozen (ABC): Fearless optimist Anna sets off on an epic journey to find her sister, Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 29 Dec. 2024 Meanwhile, in Ithaca, his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus, struggle to preserve the kingdom, warding off relentless suitors who are convinced that Odysseus has died. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024 Honorable Mention: North Korean Cryptocurrency Theft A lot of people steal a lot of cryptocurrency every year, including North Korean cybercriminals who have a mandate to help fund the hermit kingdom. Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2024 This makes ink caps one of our greatest reminders of how ephemeral life is in the fungal kingdom. Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kingdom 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kingdom was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near kingdom

Cite this Entry

“Kingdom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kingdom. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

1
: a country whose ruler is a king or queen
2
: a region in which something or someone has very strong influence
the cotton kingdom
3
a
: one of the three primary divisions into which natural objects are classified compare animal kingdom, mineral kingdom, plant kingdom
b
: a major category in the scientific classification of living things that ranks above the phylum and below the domain

Medical Definition

1
: any of the three primary divisions into which natural objects are grouped see animal kingdom, mineral kingdom, plant kingdom
2
: a major category (as Protista) in biological taxonomy that ranks above the phylum and below the domain

More from Merriam-Webster on kingdom

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