peerage

American  

[peer-ij] / ˈpɪər ɪdʒ /

noun

1. the body of peers of a country or state.

2. the rank or dignity of a peer.

3. a book listing the peers and giving their genealogies.

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peerage British  

/ ˈpɪərɪdʒ /

noun

1. the whole body of peers; aristocracy

2. the position, rank, or title of a peer

3. (esp in the British Isles) a book listing the peers and giving genealogical and other information about them

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Etymology

Origin of peerage

First recorded in 1425–75, peerage is from the late Middle English word perage. See peer ², -age

Example Sentences

When approached for comment, a No 10 spokesperson directed the BBC to a document listing the reasons why Dame Ann had been nominated for a peerage.

From BBC

Ms Davies will sit alongside ex-Tory cabinet minister John Redwood and journalist and historian Simon Heffer - who have also been handed peerages.

From BBC

The chairman of the supermarket chain Iceland will be nominated for a Labour peerage, sources within the party have confirmed.

From BBC

Removing someone’s peerages completely and ousting them from the line of succession requires legislation.

From The Wall Street Journal

The SNP lodged a similar motion in September, aimed at removing the peerage of Lord Mandelson, who was sacked as ambassador to the USA when the extent of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein was revealed.

From BBC

Related Words

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