maharajah

or ma·ha·ra·ja

[mah-huh-rah-juh, -zhuh]

noun

(formerly) a ruling prince in India, especially of one of the major states.

Origin of maharajah

1690–1700; < Hindi mahārājā great king, equivalent to mahā- great + rājā rajah

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for maharaja

Contemporary Examples of maharaja

In the late 19th century, Maharaja Sardar Singh built the beautiful white marble monument in memory of his father.
Jodhpur Is an Oasis in the Middle of the Mad Rush of India
William O’Connor
March 2, 2014
The Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II was the first to make it his private residence.
Living Like a Maharajah
Daily Beast Promotions
January 22, 2010
Here in the former home of the Maharaja one finds an opulent oasis from the bustle of the city.
Living Like a Maharajah
Daily Beast Promotions
January 22, 2010

Historical Examples of maharaja

My friend said he would see the Maharaja at once and have my visit arranged for.
Ranching, Sport and Travel
Thomas Carson
The maharaja, however, was not at home that day to receive us.
A Tour of the Missions
Augustus Hopkins Strong
I see no reason why I should not become a raja, and for that matter even a maharaja.
Lachmi Bai Rani of Jhansi
Michael White
Prasad Singh will go as thy messenger to the Maharaja forthwith.
Lachmi Bai Rani of Jhansi
Michael White
It is my advice that the Maharaja does not meet the Rani with these people.
Lachmi Bai Rani of Jhansi
Michael White

British Dictionary definitions for maharaja

maharajah

maharaja

noun

any of various Indian princes, esp any of the rulers of the former native states

Word Origin for maharajah

C17: Hindi, from mahā great + rajah

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for maharaja

maharajah

also maharaja, 1690s, from Hindi, "great king," from Sanskrit maha "great" (from PIE root *meg- "great;" see magnate) + rajan "king" (see rajah). The fem. equivalent is maharani (1855).