peerage

noun

peer·​age ˈpir-ij 

1

: the body of peers

2

: the rank or dignity of a peer

3

: a book containing a list of peers with their genealogy, history, and titles

Examples of peerage in a Sentence

He was given the peerage after years of devoted service to the community.

Recent Examples on the Web

To win a vote in Parliament, James sometimes simply established new peerages. —Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024

The Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn (a Scottish peerage), and Baron of Carrickfergus (an Irish peerage). —Sam Reed, Glamour, 8 Sep. 2022

King Charles' coronation organizer Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, uniquely inherited the royal responsibility through his peerage title. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 2 May 2023

During his investigations, Mr. Chanin used an online database that tracks the genealogical history of the British peerage and unearthed a name that looked similar: the Honorable Robert Anthony Rayne. —Joshua Needelman, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing peerage

• the peerage

Kids Definition

peerage

noun

peer·​age ˈpi(ə)r-ij 

1

: nobility sense 2

2

: a list or register of peers