William

[ wil-yuh m ]

/ ˈwɪl yəm /

noun

a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter W.

a male given name: from Germanic words meaning “will” and “helmet.”

Definition for william (2 of 5)

William I

noun

the Conqueror, 1027–87, duke of Normandy 1035–87; king of England 1066–87 (son of Robert I, duke of Normandy).

Also Willem I. William I of Orangethe Silent, 1533–84, Dutch leader, statesman, and revolutionary leader born in Germany: prince of Orange 1544–84; count of Nassau 1559–84; 1st stadholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands 1578–84.

Also Wilhelm I. Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig, 1797–1888, King of Prussia 1861–88; emperor of Germany 1871–88 (brother of Frederick William IV).

Definition for william (3 of 5)

William II

noun

William Rufusthe Red, 1056?–1100, King of England 1087–1100 (son of William I, duke of Normandy).

Also Wilhelm II. Frederick Wilhelm Viktor Albert, 1859–1941, king of Prussia and emperor of Germany 1888–1918.

Definition for william (4 of 5)

William III

noun

William III of Orange, 1650–1702, stadholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands 1672–1702; king of England 1689–1702, joint ruler with his wife, Mary II.

Definition for william (5 of 5)

William IV

noun

the Sailor-King, 1765–1837, king of Great Britain and Ireland 1830–37 (brother of George IV).

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for william

A peacemaker is also exactly how Police Commissioner William Bratton sees himself.
Cop Families Boo De Blasio at NYPD Graduation|Michael Daly|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She had to break the news to William that The Sun had the story.
Pulled Documentary Says William Felt ‘Used’ by Charles’ Push for Camilla|Tom Sykes|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Vice President Joe Biden spoke, followed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, then Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton.
Choking Back Tears, Thousands of Cops Honor Fallen Officer Ramos|Michael Daly|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Both Mayor De Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton rushed to the hospital.
Two Cops ‘Assassinated’ in Brooklyn|Michael Daly|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And then there is William Morales of the Puerto Rican independence group the FALN.
Cuba Protects America’s Most Wanted|Michael Daly|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
William pressed into one of his hands a stick of liquorice and into the other a packet of chocolate.
Just William|Richmal Crompton
Judith had been as fond of Uncle William as all the rest of them.
The Hall and the Grange|Archibald Marshall
Early in 1825, William Wilberforce's brilliant Parliamentary career came to an end by his own voluntary retirement.
Private Papers of William Wilberforce|William Wilberforce
William was forty-one years of age, dark, ordinary size, and intelligent.
The Underground Railroad|William Still
William, catching Samuel Lynn's eye, came across and entered.
Mrs. Halliburton's Troubles|Mrs. Henry Wood

British Dictionary definitions for william (1 of 5)

William

/ (ˈwɪljəm) /

noun

known as William the Lion. ?1143–1214, king of Scotland (1165–1214)

Prince. born 1982, Duke of Cambridge, first son of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales. In 2011 he married Kate Middleton (born 1982); their son, Prince George, was born in 2013

British Dictionary definitions for william (2 of 5)

William III

noun

known as William of Orange. 1650–1702, stadholder of the Netherlands (1672–1702) and king of Great Britain and Ireland (1689–1702). He was invited by opponents of James II to accept the British throne (1688) and ruled jointly with his wife Mary II (James' daughter) until her death in 1694

British Dictionary definitions for william (3 of 5)

William IV

noun

known as the Sailor King. 1765–1837, king of the United Kingdom and of Hanover (1830–37), succeeding his brother George IV; the third son of George III

British Dictionary definitions for william (4 of 5)

William II

noun

known as William Rufus. ?1056–1100, king of England (1087–1100); the son of William the Conqueror. He was killed by an arrow while hunting in the New Forest

known as William the Good . 1154–89, last Norman king of Sicily (1166–89)

1792–1849, king of the Netherlands (1840–49); son of William I

German name Kaiser Wilhelm. 1859–1941, German emperor and king of Prussia (1888–1918): asserted Germany's claim to world leadership; forced to abdicate at the end of World War I

British Dictionary definitions for william (5 of 5)

William I

noun

known as William the Conqueror. ?1027–1087, duke of Normandy (1035–87) and king of England (1066–87). He claimed to have been promised the English crown by Edward the Confessor, after whose death he disputed the succession of Harold II, invading England in 1066 and defeating Harold at Hastings. The conquest of England resulted in the introduction to England of many Norman customs, esp feudalism. In 1085 he ordered the Domesday Book to be compiled

known as William the Bad . 1120–66, Norman king of Sicily (1154–66)

known as William the Silent. 1533–84, prince of Orange and count of Nassau: led the revolt of the Netherlands against Spain (1568–76) and became first stadholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands (1579–84); assassinated

1772–1843, king of the Netherlands (1815–40): abdicated in favour of his son William II

German name Wilhelm I. 1797–1888, king of Prussia (1861–88) and first emperor of Germany (1871–88)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012