tsar

Everyday

1. A tsar was an emperor of Russia before 1917. tree →
2. (informal) A tsar is a person given strong power over one area by a government, as in a drugs tsar. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, tsars such as Peter the Great and Ivan the Terrible ruled Russia; the last tsar, Nicholas II, lost power in the Russian Revolution in 1917. The tsar's wife was the tsarina. In news, governments appoint tsars for things like energy or schools.

Examples

• Peter the Great was a famous Russian tsar. tree →
• The last tsar was Nicholas II. tree →
• The tsar lived in a palace in Saint Petersburg. tree →
• The tsarina wore a jewelled crown. tree →
• The government named a new education tsar. tree →
• Bulgaria also had tsars long ago. tree →
• The Tsar was a good swimmer. tree →

Note

Spelled tsar (UK) or czar (often US); both are said zar. It comes from the Latin name Caesar. Female: tsarina. Plural: tsars.