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

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.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2025

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

It’s easy to tap out of civic engagement, believing there is nothing to be done, and that decline in our democracy and our fourth estate is inevitable, that our story is done.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 24, 2023

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