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

The major questions doctrine is an originalist concept, but in the court’s view it may not apply to actions in the foreign policy realm – including tariffs – where the president has greater discretion.

From Salon

And of course the very name of Borderland points to the purgatory-like nature of the realm, not existing in the real world nor in the afterlife.

From Salon

Combined with the coloured, shimmering floor and walls, and a soundtrack of muffled voices, gongs and bird calls, it all creates a powerful if unnerving feeling of floating in another realm.

From BBC

One minister acknowledged the elections would be tough and speculated that a leadership challenge before then may not be beyond the realms of possibility.

From BBC

When suffering is measured, it becomes harder to dismiss; when it is left uncounted, it drifts back into the realm of anecdote, where policymakers can insist the problem is exaggerated, isolated or even imaginary.

From Salon

Related Words

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