Meaning & use
fief
Last updated
In feudal society, an estate of land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for service or loyalty.
See it in a sentence
The knight governed the fief on behalf of the duke.
By the twelfth century, many fiefs had effectively become hereditary property.
A note on using this word
Beyond its historical meaning, 'fief' is often used figuratively today to describe an area or organization someone controls as their personal territory.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. noun
A sphere of activity or influence regarded as someone's exclusive domain.
The sales department was treated as the manager's personal fief.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “fief”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.