/ lɔːd; NAmE lɔːrd/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] (in Britain) a man of high rank in the nobility (= people of high social class) , or sb who has been given the title 'lord' as an honour
—compare lady
2.
Lord (in Britain) the title used by a lord :
Lord Beaverbrook
3.
Lord a title used for some high official positions in Britain :
the Lord Chancellor
the Lord Mayor
4.
My Lord (in Britain) a title of respect used when speaking to a judge, bishop or some male members of the nobility (= people of high social class)
—compare lady
5.
a powerful man in medieval Europe, who owned a lot of land and property :
a feudal lord
the lord of the manor
—see also overlord , warlord
6.
(usually the Lord ) [ sing. ] a title used to refer to God or Christ :
Love the Lord with all your heart.
7.
Our Lord [ sing. ] a title used to refer to Christ
8.
the Lords [ sing.+ sing./pl. v . ] = House of Lords :
The Lords has / have not yet reached a decision.
—compare Commons
—see also law lord
•
IDIOMS
- (good) Lord! | oh Lord!
- Lord knows ...
- Lord (only) knows (what, where, why, etc.) ...
HELP NOTE : Some people may find the use of Lord in these expressions offensive.
•
IDIOMS
see drunk adjective , year
■ verb
•
IDIOMS
- lord it over sb
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English hlāford , from hlāfweard bread-keeper , from a Germanic base (see loaf (noun), ward ). Compare with lady .