majesty
noun
regal, lofty, or stately dignity; imposing character; grandeur.
majesty
American
[maj-uh-stee]
/ ˈmædʒ ə sti /
noun
-
majesties
plural
-
regal, lofty, or stately dignity; imposing character; grandeur.
majesty of bearing; the majesty of Chartres.
-
supreme greatness or authority; sovereignty.
All paid tribute to the majesty of Rome.
-
(usually initial capital letter) a title used when speaking of or to a sovereign (usually preceded by his, her, oryour ).
His Majesty's Navy; Will your Majesty hear our petitions?
-
a royal personage, or royal personages collectively.
The royal wedding was attended by the majesties of Europe.
-
Christ in Majesty, a representation of Christ as ruler of the universe.
majesty
1
British
/ ˈmædʒɪstɪ /
noun
-
great dignity of bearing; loftiness; grandeur
-
supreme power or authority
-
an archaic word for royalty
Majesty
2
British
/ ˈmædʒɪstɪ /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of majesty
1250–1300; Middle English majeste < Middle French < Latin majestāt- (stem of majestās ) dignity, grandeur, equivalent to majes- (akin to majus < *mag-yos, neuter comparative of magnus large; cf. major) + -tāt- -ty 2
Explanation
Majesty describes a quality that takes your breath away, it's so impressive. The Grand Canyon has it, and so does a British monarch (supposedly). The word majesty brings to mind a luxurious castle, which is appropriate because it is also used to address or refer to a king or queen. The Latin root word is maiestatem, which means "greatness, dignity, or excellence," and people first used the noun majesty to talk about God. It was England's King Henry VIII who decided that majesty would be the official way to address a British monarch.
Vocabulary lists containing majesty
Words from the 4th of July Songbook
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Quartering Act (1765)
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The Skin I'm In
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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.
See Examples For:
The soaring designs for stained-glass windows and banner-like vestments are divorced from their Côte d’Azur context, but have a pathos and a majesty that I found as compelling as the chapel proper.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
That was an era during which Springsteen was fond of declaring “the majesty, the mystery, the ministry — of rock ‘n’ roll!”
From Salon ● May 28, 2026
He holds fast to what he knows to be true: the majesty of his own goodness.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026
"To be able to look at these things and appreciate the beauty," James says, "the majesty and the scale of it - it's just amazing."
From BBC ● Feb. 28, 2026
It hung and moved with majesty in folds like an infinite traveler upstage in an infinite theater.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
The Sussexes needed a “brand refresh,” says Ingrid Seward, editor in chief of Majesty Magazine, noting that the couple’s efforts to build a media empire in Hollywood have run out of steam.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
"Eventually Her Majesty said, 'oh for goodness sake, just go'. So I ran through to the library and I was watching it."
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
One of the messages had said "we have suspended our normal programmes until further notice as a mark of respect following the passing of His Majesty King Charles III".
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
As an initial proud subject of His Majesty the King, Sherry is equipped to provide young readers ages 8 to 12 with a Loyalist’s perspective on Boston in the 1770s.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
"By my counsel," said Lucy, "your Majesty shall give him another trial. Let him go free on strait promise of fair dealing in the future. It may be that he will keep his word."
From "The Horse and His Boy" by C.S. Lewis
Buckingham Palace in October said "their majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been and will remain with the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse".
From BBC ● Jan. 31, 2026
Your Majesty, and almost the thousand years’ worth of majesties before you — Britain can’t seem to quit you.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2023
"We are delighted too that its first use will be to guide their majesties into Westminster Abbey at the Coronation Service."
From Reuters ● Apr. 19, 2023
The floral-themed invite for the event, which is due to take place at London’s Westminster Abbey on May 6, promotes “the coronation of their majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla.”
From Washington Post ● Apr. 5, 2023
It shows the silhouette of a girl at sunset, running up a steep mountain path, and it’s all clouds parting and God rays shining down and purple mountain majesties.
From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti
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.
