Kingdom: Definition & Meaning

As the countries and lands around the world evolved into distinct and separate nations, they variously held a range of titles and descriptions. These include such terms as empire, principality, province, and state. 

One of the most popular and evocative terms used to describe these domains is the word kingdom. But what’s the history of this majestic term, and what exactly does kingdom mean? 

Definition Of Kingdom

The simplest and most common definition of kingdom is the realm or territory ruled by a king. 

An example of this definition in a sentence is; “They crossed the border from the Scottish kingdom in the north to the English kingdom, the realm of King James I.” 

The History Of Kings & Kingdoms

Throughout the centuries, one of the most popular forms of governance was to elect or install a supreme ruler, a single individual who would lead the collective and reign over the land. These individuals were most often male, and the rank and role that they assumed became known as the status of king. 

As a result, the domain ruled over by the king would become known as a kingdom. The suffix dom evolved from definitions of state, province, statute or condition. This explains how the conventional definition of kingdom is the province of a king. 

The origin of the word also reveals another definition and usage of the word kingdom that relates not to the lands and territory under sovereign rule, but rather to the position or state of kingship. 

Is There Such A Thing As A Queendom? 

Although far less commonly used than the masculine equivalent, the word queendom does exist. Similar to the definition of kingdom, a queendom is a realm or territory ruled by a queen. 

For example, someone might say, “Now that the young queen had inherited the crown from her father, his former territory would now be referred to as a queendom.”

The alternative definitions of kingdom also apply to the use of the word queendom. For example, a queendom can refer to the status or position of a queen, as opposed to simply describing the land over which she reigns. 

To illustrate this usage in a sentence, it may be used in the following context; “Although she had only been on the throne for a few months, Spain’s new monarch was thriving in her queendom.”

Synonyms For Kingdom

Although many of history’s most famous kingdoms have ceased to exist, the word is still relevant in popular usage and still has a place in the modern world. 

With the fall of official kingdoms, however, other words have become more commonly used to refer to the realms that were previously governed by a king or sovereign.

The following are some synonyms for the term kingdom. These may be more accurate if the domain is no longer governed by a king, and they can also be used as an alternative way to describe a kingdom. 

• Country

Possibly one of the most generic ways to describe a nation is to use the word country. This is a much broader term than kingdom and may be used to describe places that no longer have a monarchy or have never been considered a regal realm. 

• Territory

The use of the word territory removes some of the ambiguity of the word kingdom, as it refers solely to the geographical lands included within the boundary of the sovereign’s rule, rather than the state of kingship or dominion. 

• Realm

A realm is considered to be a royal domain and it’s an evocative alternative to the term kingdom, one that suggests majesty and regal governance. 

• Principality

This term may sometimes be appropriate to use instead of kingdom if the sovereign ruler is a royal prince, rather than a king. A modern example of a principality is Monaco, a sovereign country that has a semi-constitutional monarch who is officially styled as Prince of Monaco. 

Examples Of Kingdoms

Throughout history, the various kingdoms and territories have changed and evolved many times. Kingdoms have emerged, only to fall in later times. With the shift towards revolution and independence in recent centuries, some of the greatest kingdoms were abolished. Others remain to modern times, yet they may be diminished in power and stature. Here are some of the most commonly recognized kingdoms from around the world. 

United Kingdom

Perhaps the most famous modern kingdom is the union of the British countries, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, officially known as the United Kingdom. This kingdom is essentially a collection of four nations that were historically kingdoms in their own right. For example, the history books are full of references to the Kingdom of Scotland or the Kingdom of England. 

Kingdom of Italy

The Kingdom of Italy was once a powerful realm that played a significant role in the evolution of Europe. This kingdom was a relatively short-lived state, lasting from 1861 to 1946, when the country ceased to be a monarchy after years of revolution and unrest. After the abolition of the Kingdom of Italy, the territory became known as the Italian Republic, which is the term still in use today to describe the country of Italy by its formal title. 

Kingdom of Spain

The Kingdom of Spain is one of the most influential and historic nations of Europe, and has also played a significant role in the evolution of many nations around the world. As the name suggests, Spain has a monarchy, and the current sovereign is King Felipe VI. Like many modern monarchies, the Kingdom of Spain is ruled by a constitutional monarch, in that the king is more of a figurehead than an absolute or political ruler. Yet, the Kingdom of Spain remains a strong nation on the world stage, with both its mainland territories and far-flung islands comprising this thriving and popular realm. 

The term kingdom is so well-known in popular languages that it’s easy to forget the rich history behind this simple word. Yet the story of its usage is intertwined with the evolution of many nations around the globe, telling the story of human civilization and the many nations of the world as we know them today.

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