realm

English Online Dictionary. What means realm‎? What does realm mean?

English

Alternate spellings

• realme (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English rewme, realme, reaume, from Old French reaume, realme, reialme (“kingdom”), of unclear origins. A postulated *rēgālimen (“domain, kingdom”), Late Latin or Vulgar Latin cross of regimen with rēgālis is usually cited.

The modern spelling predominates from around 1600. The modern pronunciation with /l/ is either a spelling pronunciation or influenced by the etymology. (Can this⁽⁺⁾ etymology be sourced?)

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) enPR: rĕlm, IPA^(key): /ɹɛlm/
• (Early Modern) IPA^(key): /rɛːm/, /rɛlm/
• Rhymes: -ɛlm

Noun

realm (plural realms)

1. (now law and rhetoric) A territory or state, as ruled by an absolute authority, especially by a king; a kingdom. [from ca. 1300]
   • 1913, Leslie Alexander Toke, Catholic Encyclopedia, "St. Dunstan",

     Then seeing his life was threatened he fled the realm and crossed over to Flanders, […]

   1. (fantasy, roleplaying games) An otherworldly dimension or domain — magical, ethereal, or otherwise — usually ruled or created by a mystical character.
   2. (obsolete) The spiritual state of which God is the head; the Kingdom of Heaven.
2. (also figurative) A sphere of knowledge or of influence; a domain. [from after 1400]

   the realm of physics

   the realm of corporate governance
3. (biology, ecology) A primary zoogeographical division of the earth's surface. [from 1850s]
4. (virology, taxonomy) A taxonomic rank in the phylogeny of viruses, higher than kingdoms.
5. (archaic) A region or zone forming part of a cosmological system. [from 1560s]

Synonyms

• (a territory or state): country, land, kingdom
• (a sphere of activity or influence): field, province

Derived terms

Translations

References

• “realm, n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
• Douglas Harper (2001–2025) “realm”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
• “realm”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.; “domain”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.

Anagrams

• Maler, Lamer, meral, Lemar, lamer, Armel, maerl, Almer, maler, marle, Lerma