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retinue

noun
ret·​i·​nue | \ ˈre-tə-ˌnü How to pronounce retinue (audio) , -ˌnyü\

Definition of retinue

: a group of retainers or attendants
Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about retinue

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Did You Know?

Retinue derives via Middle English from the Anglo-French verb retenir, meaning "to retain." Another word deriving from retenir is retainer, which means, among other things, "one who serves a person of high position or rank." In the 14th century, that high person of rank was usually a noble or a royal of some kind, and retinue referred to that person's collection of servants and companions. Nowadays, the word is often used with a bit of exaggeration to refer to the assistants, guards, publicists, and other people who accompany an actor or other high-profile individual in public. You might also hear such a collection called a "suite" or "entourage," two other words derived from French.

Examples of retinue in a Sentence

the king and his retinue a pop star traveling with his retinue

Recent Examples on the Web

 Jungle Terry and his traveling animal retinue have been going strong for 32 years. — cleveland.com, "Jungle Terry brings live animal show to Strongsville Library," 25 July 2019 In May 2014, weeks after the invasion, Mr Putin and a retinue of businessmen and officials flew to Shanghai to forge a new partnership. — The Economist, "But their new partnership makes China a lot more equal than Russia," 25 July 2019 The light work is particularly impressive in a movie that can shift with ease from the neon luridness of the midway to the delicate tracery of sunlight refracted through a stately retinue of chandeliers. — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "Review: Woody and Buzz are back and better than ever," 20 June 2019 This accelerates her conspiratorial instincts, and moves her to join with Regan and strip Lear of his retinue, his dignity and what’s left of his sanity—although Mr. Hopkins’s king always has at least one foot in madness. — John Anderson, WSJ, "‘King Lear’ Review: A Timeless Tale With a Modern King," 27 Sep. 2018 The British monarch and her retinue are very good at this, and this is why Britons keep them around. — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "Trump tweets about ‘fantastic’ state visit with the Queen," 3 June 2019 Their faces and figures, as molded by Goodman and her retinue of artists, influenced the taste of a generation. — Ian Malone, Vogue, "The National Portrait Gallery and Christy Turlington Burns Celebrate Vogue’s Tonne Goodman," 9 Apr. 2019 When Daenerys Targareyn and Jon Snow came roaring into Winterfell in the opening moments of Game of Thrones' final season, the people of the North eyed their retinue of warriors, acolytes, and dragons with suspicion. — Julie Kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Game of Thrones Rivalry Between Sansa & Daenerys Is Gendered and Regressive," 16 Apr. 2019 As a teenager, Mr. Kerr joined the Ellington retinue on tour. — Sam Roberts, New York Times, "Brooks Kerr, Piano Prodigy and Ellington Expert, Dies at 66," 9 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'retinue.' 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 retinue

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for retinue

Middle English retenue, from Anglo-French, from feminine of retenu, past participle of retenir to retain

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More Definitions for retinue

retinue

noun
How to pronounce retinue (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of retinue

: a group of helpers, supporters, or followers

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

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