fourth estate

noun

(often initial capital letters)

1. the journalistic profession or its members; the press.

2. a group other than the usual powers, as the three estates of France, that wields influence in the politics of a country.

fourth estate

noun

1. (sometimes capitals) journalists or their profession; the press See estate

Word History and Origins

Origin of fourth estate¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Rather remained adamant, even through reputational degradation, that the real threat to journalism wasn’t liberal bias or declining ratings, but the corrosive takeover of the fourth estate by corporate and ideological power.

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While the news media is sometimes referred to as the fourth estate, alongside the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, few think of stand-up comedy as a pillar of democracy.

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We are long overdue for a reintroduction of the guidelines that offered some degree of trust in the fourth estate.

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“That’s the whole value of democracy. You can voice your opinion, but I hope they understand by not subscribing that it just adds to the demise of democracy and the fourth estate,” he told Spectrum.

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Clooney said he wanted to make a movie to let people hear some “really well-written words about the fourth estate again.”

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