realm
Americannoun
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a royal domain; kingdom.
the realm of England.
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the region, sphere, or domain within which anything occurs, prevails, or dominates.
the realm of dreams.
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the special province or field of something or someone.
the realm of physics; facts within the realm of political scientists.
noun
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a royal domain; kingdom (now chiefly in such phrases as Peer of the Realm )
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a field of interest, study, etc
the realm of the occult
Related Words
See kingdom.
Other Word Forms
- underrealm noun
Etymology
Origin of realm
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 )
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.
Julie Cronshaw, director of the Highgate Ballet School in London, says even for learned, longtime balletomanes the show opens up a whole new realm of understanding and appreciation.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026
For Scott, it doesn’t matter that Xtend’s treatments can fall outside the realm of sanctioned medicine.
From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026
Even within the sporting realm, there are important examples.
From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026
Another realm where the U.S. has been in a league of its own, though, is its ability to run large overdrafts during geopolitical or economic crises.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
“A wandering soul came to Deadwood two nights ago. I’ve tried to usher her into every realm in the Afterlife, but she won’t leave.”
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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.
