dauphin

American  

[daw-fin, doh-fan] / ˈdɔ fɪn, doʊˈfɛ̃ /

noun

plural

dauphins

1. the eldest son of a king of France, used as a title from 1349 to 1830.

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dauphin British  

/ dɔːˈfɪn, ˈdɔːfɪn, dofɛ̃ /

noun

1. (1349–1830) the title of the direct heir to the French throne; the eldest son of the king of France

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Etymology

Origin of dauphin

1475–85; < French; Middle French dalphin, after Dauphiné ( def. ), from an agreement to thus honor the province after its cession to France

Example Sentences

As Bedford conceded, her victories in 1429 on behalf of the dauphin, which finally enabled his coronation, fractured English morale.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

All this may have begun with Doctorow’s Daniel, a dauphin of radical history, as anointed as he is tormented.

From The New Yorker • Apr. 29, 2019

Mr Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il, was crowned as dauphin to his own father, Kim Il Sung, the country’s founding leader.

From Economist • Apr. 28, 2016

I have been asked whether I wish to nominate a successor, an inheritor, a dauphin or delfino.

From The Guardian • Aug. 14, 2015

The little dauphin, happily for himself, died while still a royal baby in his father's palace, and was succeeded by another boy less fortunate in his destiny.

From Stories about Famous Precious Stones by Orpen, Mrs Goddard