peerage
Americannoun
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the body of peers of a country or state.
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the rank or dignity of a peer.
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a book listing the peers and giving their genealogies.
noun
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the whole body of peers; aristocracy
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the position, rank, or title of a peer
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(esp in the British Isles) a book listing the peers and giving genealogical and other information about them
Etymology
Origin of peerage
First recorded in 1425–75, peerage is from the late Middle English word perage. See peer 2, -age
Explanation
The system of giving people titles like "Lord So-and-So," or "The Duchess of Wherever" is called peerage. The title itself is also referred to as a peerage. In a monarchy like the United Kingdom or Saudi Arabia, a peerage is a legal classification of all the ranks bestowed on the nobility. So if a country has lords, ladies, dukes, duchesses, earls, and countesses, it's the peerage that keeps track of the titles and who holds them. If you're bestowed such a title, you receive a peerage: "My grandmother inherited a peerage when her uncle died, and that's when my family got that castle in Scotland."
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.
In a fascinating footnote, the disgraced admiral reclaimed his reputation and won a peerage in Britain by vanquishing the French in a 1782 naval battle.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026
He refused a peerage four times from prime ministers Disraeli and Gladstone.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026
Starmer told MPs his former director of communications had not given a "full account" of his actions when he was being vetted for the peerage.
From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026
As a life peer, Lord Offord's peerage cannot be relinquished.
From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026
I knew a little from our infrequent stays with Baron Greyfallow, and thought I was quite genteel enough without having to memorize forms of address, table manners, and the elaborate snarled rankings of the peerage.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
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.
