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• kaiser
  kaiser

  noun

  a German emperor.
• Kaiser
  Kaiser

  noun

  Henry J(ohn), 1882–1967, U.S. industrialist.

kaiser

¹ American  

[kahy-zer] / ˈkaɪ zər /

noun

• kaisers
  plural

1. a German emperor.

2. an Austrian emperor.

3. History/Historical. a ruler of the Holy Roman Empire.

4. a person who exercises or tries to exercise absolute authority; autocrat.

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Kaiser ² American  

[kahy-zer] / ˈkaɪ zər /

noun

1. Henry J(ohn), 1882–1967, U.S. industrialist.

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Kaiser ¹ British  

/ ˈkaizər /

noun

1. Georg (ˈɡeːɔrk). 1878–1945, German expressionist dramatist

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Kaiser ² British  

/ ˈkaɪzə /

noun

1. any German emperor, esp Wilhelm II (ruled 1888–1918)

2. obsolete any Austro-Hungarian emperor

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Kaiser Cultural  

1. The German word for “emperor.” The emperors of Austria and Germany were called Kaisers. (See Wilhelm II.)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• kaiserdom
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• kaisers
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of kaiser

1150–1200; < German ≪ Latin Caesar emperor, special use of proper name ( see Caesar); replacing Middle English keisere, (north) caisere < Old Norse keisari ≪ Latin as above; compare Old English cāsere

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Explanation

Historically, a kaiser was a German or Austrian emperor. In North America, it's also a delicious crusty roll. This royal title goes all the way back to the Holy Roman Emperors of the 10th century, who called themselves kaiser, from Caesar, "emperor or ruler," (a reference to Julius Caesar). The term was used throughout the German Empire, until its end in the 20th century. Kaiser rolls resemble crowns and originated in Austria, where they're known as Kaisersemmel. They're named after Austrian Kaiser Franz Joseph I, who ruled from 1848 to 1916.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

kaiser Kaiser kaisers

While the kaiser could appoint or dismiss government ministers and was “consulted” on important matters, he had little or no control over the daily affairs of state.

From Salon ● Mar. 15, 2026

I finally found the BEC of my NYC dreams — the one served at Volunteer Park Cafe, where they make their own kaiser rolls to compensate for our sad regional deficit in that bread category.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 14, 2023

Once the kaiser abdicated, and ink on the armistice dried, worry over Edward’s deployment shifted to the hope of discharge and the anticipation of coming home.

From Slate ● May 16, 2020

While the meat is fine on a kaiser roll, it’s even better when you allow it to mingle with other items on the menu.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 19, 2019

Before he received the czar’s telegram, the kaiser had sent the czar a telegram of his own, signed “Your very sincere and devoted friend and cousin, Willy.”

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

Kaiser said this rotation required a catalyst, and it came in the form of disappointing earnings.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026

Sniffer dog Kaiser, a two-year-old Alsatian rescue from the company SelectaDNA, joined officers for the operation.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

The cause “felt like an accumulation of risks rather than one specific issue,” said Kaiser.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026

Citi continues to favor large cap and growth stocks that sport strong balance sheets, “but the positioning headwinds are clear and make adding exposure here a risky proposition,” Kaiser added.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026

Kaiser Wilhelm, surrounded by his military entourage, always appeared in the medal-bedecked uniform of the “All Highest War Lord” at the constant parades and celebrations of past military victories.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

World War I demolished empires and destroyed kings, kaisers and sultans.

From New York Times ● Nov. 9, 2018

Latvians have fled the armies of Vikings, a Swedish king, kaisers, czars and czarinas, the general secretary of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, and the Führer.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 10, 2017

The war destroyed kings, kaisers, czars and sultans; it demolished empires; it introduced chemical weapons, tanks and airborne bombing; it brought millions of women into the work force, hastening their legal right to vote.

From New York Times ● Jun. 26, 2014

The last of the purported kaisers today had apparently abdicated his throne, after using it ... to get married to a socially prominent New Orleans woman .

From Time Magazine Archive

The fate of Poland was to be decided by the kaisers, that is, annexed in substance, if not in form.

From The Story of the Great War, Volume VII (of VIII) American Food and Ships; Palestine; Italy invaded; Great German Offensive; Americans in Picardy; Americans on the Marne; Foch's Counteroffensive. by Various

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