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fief

noun
\ ˈfēf How to pronounce fief (audio) \

Definition of fief

1 : a feudal estate : fee
2 : something over which one has rights or exercises control a politician's fief
Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about fief

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Did You Know?

In European feudalism, a fief was a source of income granted to a person (called a vassal) by his lord in exchange for his services. The fief usually consisted of land and the labor of peasants who were bound to cultivate it. The income it provided supported the vassal, who was obliged to fight for his lord as a knight.

Examples of fief in a Sentence

the logistics of the relief effort is the director's fief

Recent Examples on the Web

 Those promises mean little if the funds are run like personal fiefs. — The Economist, "Gulf states are becoming more adventurous investors," 14 June 2019 For years, top Time Warner Inc. executives talked about putting an end to the fiefs inside the entertainment conglomerate. — Benjamin Mullin, WSJ, "It Was Once ‘Game of Thrones’ Inside Time Warner. AT&T Said, Enough.," 8 Mar. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fief.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of fief

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for fief

French, from Old French — more at fee

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More Definitions for fief

fief

noun
How to pronounce fief (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of fief

: a large area of land that was ruled over by a lord in medieval times : a feudal estate

See the full definition for fief in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fief

noun
\ ˈfēf How to pronounce fief (audio) \

Kids Definition of fief

: an estate of land given to a vassal by a feudal lord

More from Merriam-Webster on fief

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with fief

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fief

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fief

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