overlord

Everyday

1. A ruler who has power over other rulers or lords, especially in the Middle Ages. tree →
2. A person or group that controls others completely; often used jokingly: "our new robot overlords". tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons about the Middle Ages, a king or great lord was the overlord of smaller lords, who promised loyalty and soldiers in return for land (the feudal system). In stories and films, an evil overlord rules a land cruelly. In jokes, people say "our cat is the overlord of this house".

Examples

• The king was overlord of all the barons in England. tree →
• Each knight promised to fight for his overlord. tree →
• In the game, you must defeat the dark overlord of the volcano. tree →
• The local lords paid taxes to their overlord. tree →
• "All hail the cat, overlord of the sofa!" laughed Mum. tree →
• The villagers feared the cruel overlord in the castle. tree →
• His new overlord would demand the service of one of his sons. tree →

Note

Countable: an overlord, overlords. Mostly a history or story word; in real modern life people rarely say it seriously. Do not confuse with "landlord" (someone who rents a home to you).