noun
king
A male ruler holding sovereign authority.
The king meets with his advisers before addressing the nation.
Etymology
The inherited title names a king. It continues the Germanic ruler-title in English, identifying a male sovereign rather than deriving from a later word for royal display.
More examples
- The crown passes from the king to his eldest daughter.
- Two neighboring kings sign a peace treaty.
- The new king swears to uphold the constitution.
Forms
king · kings
kingship noun — The position or authority of a king.
kingly adjective — Typical of or suitable for a king.