fourth estate

American  

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.

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fourth estate British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of fourth estate

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

This view hinges on a low opinion of democracy and the fourth estate that has, to some extent, been borne out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

With it, however, comes a more uncertain question of what our “mainstream media” really will look like going forward and how the fourth estate will challenge those in power.

From Slate • Aug. 27, 2024

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

From Seattle Times • May 13, 2024

Alex Garland’s powerful war drama is ostensibly a tribute to the fourth estate.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2024

Rumour-mongers are the original fourth estate, journalists who inform society about and thus protect it from cheats and freeloaders.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari