kingship
Americannoun
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the state, office, or dignity of a king.
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rule by a king; monarchy.
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aptitude for kingly duties.
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(initial capital letter) a title used in referring to a king: Majesty (preceded by His orYour ).
noun
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the position or authority of a king
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the skill or practice of ruling as a king
Etymology
Origin of kingship
First recorded in 1275–1325, kingship is from the Middle English word kingscip. See king, -ship
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Naismith argues that Offa’s real legacy was developing a new model of kingship, founded on tight control and individual competence.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
The repeated use of gold imagery only intensifies those concerns because of the symbolism gold carries historically and biblically: kingship, permanence, divinity and power.
From Salon • May 10, 2026
But it is continental kingship the 33-year-old has spent the twilight years of his career chasing.
From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026
“By accompanying her father on major events, she’s like learning kingship and building a human network at a tender age,” Cheong said.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 4, 2024
They talked to each other, warned each other, fought for food, for kingship, and for the right to make the most noise.
From "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.