nobility

American  

[noh-bil-i-tee] / noʊˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

nobilities

1. the noble class or the body of nobles in a country.

2. (in Britain) the peerage.

3. the state or quality of being noble.

4. nobleness of mind, character, or spirit; exalted moral excellence.

5. grandeur or magnificence.

6. noble birth or rank.

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nobility British  

/ nəʊˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. a socially or politically privileged class whose titles are conferred by descent or by royal decree

2. the state or quality of being morally or spiritually good; dignity

   the nobility of his mind

3. (in the British Isles) the class of people holding the titles of dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, or barons and their feminine equivalents collectively; peerage

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Other Word Forms

• nonnobility noun

Etymology

Origin of nobility

1350–1400; Middle English nobilite < Latin nōbilitās. See noble, -ity

Example Sentences

Because of its complex and expensive preparation, the naan became a luxury food item enjoyed largely by the nobility.

From BBC

“I believe deeply in the nobility of your work, in what you do every day to keep this city safe, in your commitment, and in your sacrifice,” she wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal

As does the Constitution, which forbids the federal government and the states from granting any “title of nobility.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Radical new measures that included abolishing the nobility were introduced to keep the revolution alive.

From The Wall Street Journal

Merchants could suddenly earn fortunes rivaling the landholding nobility, and strange ideas could undermine intellectual elites.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dignity
• generosity
• grandeur
• greatness
• integrity
• superiority
• upper class
• virtue