peer of the realm

American  

noun

plural

peers of the realm

1. any of a class of peers in Great Britain and Ireland entitled by heredity to sit in the House of Lords.

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peer of the realm British  

noun

1. (in Great Britain and Northern Ireland) any member of the nobility entitled to sit in the House of Lords

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Etymology

Origin of peer of the realm

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

Author Peer of the realm, author, former media tycoon, ex-convict.

From The Guardian • Sep. 15, 2017

But until of late years, the custom never prevailed, that the Lord High Chancellor of England should he made an hereditary Peer of the realm.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 20, No. 560, August 4, 1832 by Various

After the homage of the Heir Apparent each Peer of the realm should have followed the traditionary form in the order of his rank and touched the Crown and kissed the King's cheek.

From The Life of King Edward VII with a sketch of the career of King George V by Hopkins, J. Castell (John Castell)

But here is a Peer of the realm missing, fellow, and you are most grievously suspected of being concerned in his spiriting away, or even murder.

From Venetia by Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield

Then Byron had reached the mature age of twenty-one, he was formally admitted to the House of Lords as a Peer of the realm.

From Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 05 Little Journeys to the Homes of English Authors by Hubbard, Elbert