realm

[relm]

noun

1. a royal domain; kingdom.

   the realm of England.

2. the region, sphere, or domain within which anything occurs, prevails, or dominates.

   the realm of dreams.

3. the special province or field of something or someone.

   the realm of physics; facts within the realm of political scientists.

realm

/ rɛlm /

noun

1. a royal domain; kingdom (now chiefly in such phrases as Peer of the Realm )

2. a field of interest, study, etc

   the realm of the occult

Other Word Forms

• underrealm noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of realm¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English realme, reaume, Old French reialme, from Latin regimen “guidance, direction, rule,” influenced by Old French reial “royal” ( royal )

Word History and Origins

Origin of realm¹

C13: from Old French reialme , from Latin regimen rule, influenced by Old French reial royal, from Latin rēgālis _regal ¹

Synonym Study

See kingdom.

Example Sentences

Go too deep into that realm, O’Malley said, and it becomes a “roach trap” from which “you never feel like there’s an exit strategy.”

Read more on Salon

“I have no wish to invade your realms, Miss Lumley. But perhaps I might borrow a chair? The one at my table is rather wobbly in the leg.”

Read more on Literature

The researchers set out to determine the true thermodynamic burden of keeping time in the quantum realm and to separate how much of that cost is caused by the act of measurement.

Read more on Science Daily

Then, at that point, we’re close enough to the realm of neutral.

Read more on Barron's

The ultrawealthy are wielding their growing fortunes to glide through a rarefied realm unencumbered by the inconveniences of ordinary life.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dimension 
• domain 
• field 
• sphere 
• territory 
• world