paladin

American  

[pal-uh-din] / ˈpæl ə dɪn /

noun

1. any one of the 12 legendary peers or knightly champions in attendance on Charlemagne.

2. any knightly or heroic champion.

3. any determined advocate or defender of a noble cause.

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paladin British  

/ ˈpælədɪn /

noun

1. one of the legendary twelve peers of Charlemagne's court

2. a knightly champion

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Etymology

Origin of paladin

First recorded in 1585–95; from French, from Italian paladino, from Late Latin palātīnus “imperial functionary,” noun use of adjective; see origin at palatine ¹

Compare meaning

How does paladin compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• paladin vs. warrior

Explanation

The noun paladin means a champion of a cause. If you are a paladin for animal welfare, you probably spend your free time volunteering at the local shelter and take part in fundraisers that help keep it going. Anyone who fights hard for something they believe in can be called a paladin, although the word has old-fashioned associations. While the French word paladin means warrior, it was used specifically starting in the late 1500s to mean "one of the 12 knights in attendance on Charlemagne." As time went on, its meaning grew to include any chivalrous or heroic person.

Example Sentences

Robertson is a different kind of paladin that also deserves admiration, Morris believes.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

In her review, AP’s Jocelyn Noveck said it works “surprisingly, sometimes delightfully well — even if you have no clue what a paladin or Red Wizard or Harper is.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 20, 2023

This time the task wasn’t limited to creating uniquely designed characters inhabiting a single universe, but entire worlds based on the myriad comic book sagas that have reinterpreted Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s arachnid paladin.

From New York Times • Jun. 1, 2023

"Bridgerton" established Page as the unattainable dreamboat everybody wants to be around, prime attributes for a paladin, a class requiring high charisma.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2023

Now a cockney paladin Winds a penny horn of tin.

From A line-o'-verse or two by Taylor, Bert Leston