harem

American  

[hair-uhm, har-] / ˈhɛər əm, ˈhær- /

Sometimes haram,

noun

1. the part of a Muslim palace or house reserved for the residence of women.

2. the women in a Muslim household, including the mother, sisters, wives, concubines, daughters, entertainers, and servants.

3. Animal Behavior. a social group of females, as elephant seals, accompanied or followed by one fertile male who denies other males access to the group.

4. Facetious: Sometimes Offensive. a group of women associated in any way with one man or household.

   I really resent it when our boss refers to us as his harem, though he's trying to be funny.

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harem British  

/ hɑːˈriːm, hɑːˈriːm, ˈhɛərəm /

noun

1. the part of an Oriental house reserved strictly for wives, concubines, etc

2. a Muslim's wives and concubines collectively

3. a group of female animals of the same species that are the mates of a single male

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Usage

In the meaning “a group of women associated with one man,” harem is used for humorous effect. But this sense is sometimes perceived as insulting by or to women because it implies that the man collects women like objects.

Etymology

Origin of harem

First recorded in 1625–35; from Turkish ḥarem “female quarters,” from Arabic ḥarīm “sacred or inviolable space, sanctuary; female members of a family; harem,” literally, “forbidden,” from ḥarama “to prohibit, deny”

Explanation

A harem is the part of the house in traditional Muslim society reserved for women — either wives, servants, or concubines. Technically a harem is just a living space for women in a society that tends to separate men and women, but when we use harem, we’re often using it in the sense of a room full of women that serve someone powerful, often in a sexual way. Harem can also be used to refer to any flock of doting, servile people that surround someone. A star musician might be surrounded by a harem of devoted fans...really devoted fans.

Example Sentences

A resident of the Harem region, where the camp is located near the Turkish border, told AFP he had seen government forces bringing reinforcements to the area beginning Tuesday and had heard explosions.

From Barron's • Oct. 22, 2025

Harem Ahmed Abwbaker was alleged to have offered money to the families of migrants who drowned to stay silent.

From BBC • May 25, 2023

Four Syrian towns in a stretch bordering Turkey were among the hardest hit: Salqin, Harem, Jinderis and Atareb.

From Reuters • Feb. 15, 2023

The team quickly got to work in towns outside Idlib city like Harem, Salqin and Al Atarib, walking by piles of stone that used to be buildings as quietly as they could, listening.

From Washington Post • Feb. 11, 2023

I open a book on Istanbul and read about the Harem at the Topkapi Palace.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali