plural duchies
1
: the territory of a duke or duchess : dukedom
2
: special domain

Examples of duchy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Until Italy’s unification in 1861, its territory was carved up into several kingdoms, duchies and city-states, each with its own culinary practices. Dawn Davis Sharon Radisch Soneela Nankani Emma Kehlbeck Joel Thibodeau, New York Times, 13 May 2024 The main operation of this duchy is to manage the monarchy’s land holdings in England, which amount to about 135,000 acres. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024 The 2017 Paradise Papers revealed that the duchy of Lancaster, while in the queen’s possession, invested millions of pounds in the Cayman Islands, and that the duchy of Cornwall, while in Prince Charles’s possession, invested millions of pounds in Bermuda and other offshore tax havens. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 Tunji Kasim as Adolphus Tunji Kasim plays the older brother of Queen Charlotte, who is inspired by the real Adolphus Friedrich IV, who was the ruler of the duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for duchy 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'duchy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English duche, from Anglo-French duché, from duc

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of duchy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near duchy

Cite this Entry

“Duchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duchy. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

duchy

noun
plural duchies
: the territory of a duke or duchess

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