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.
In 1415, on the eve of challenging France at the Battle of Agincourt, he agonizes about the moral burdens of kingship.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026
The defining attribute of a dictatorship, as well as of kingship in its ancient and absolute form, is the assertion that law—its making, interpretation, adjudication, and enforcement—is an emanation of the will of one man.
From Slate • Feb. 21, 2025
Water lilies symbolized "Classic Maya kingship," Lucero wrote.
From Science Daily • Oct. 9, 2023
The mantle, which fastens across the chest with a golden eagle clasp, is inspired by ancient coronation ensembles and its priest-like style is meant to symbolise the divine nature of kingship.
From BBC • May 1, 2023
My heart told me that I was a Thembu, that I had been raised and sent to school so that I could play a special role in perpetuating the kingship.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
