Feudalism
noun /ˈfjuː.də.lɪ.z(ə)m/ — The medieval hierarchical system of land and loyalty.
Definition
The dominant social, economic, and political system of medieval Europe, based on the holding of land in exchange for military service and loyalty. Lords granted land (fiefs) to vassals, who owed service in return — a pyramid of obligation and protection.
Beyond the definition
Feudalism is the political philosophy of knowing your place — a world where identity, obligation, and geography were inseparable. Its echoes are surprisingly legible in modern corporate structures.
Origin & history
From Medieval Latin 'feudum' (fief) + '-ism'. Coined by historians in the 17th–18th centuries to describe the medieval system retrospectively.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Feudalism was not a uniform system — it varied enormously by region and century.
Modern workers sometimes joke about corporate feudalism: the exchange of loyalty for protection that can be revoked at any time.
The Black Death disrupted feudalism more effectively than any political movement — when labor became scarce, the terms of obligation shifted.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Feudalism” when the meaning fits your context: The dominant social, economic, and political system of medieval Europe, based on the holding of land in exchange for military service and loyalty. Lords granted land (fiefs) to vassals, who owed service in return — a pyramid of obligation and protection.
Synonyms
lordship system, manorialism, vassalage
Antonyms
capitalism, democracy, meritocracy
Related words
Feudalism vs manorialism
Feudalism describes the political relationship between lords and vassals. Manorialism focuses on the economic relationship between landowners and peasants.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
People On Hierarchical Stone Stairs
People dressed in distinct, hierarchical styles occupy different levels of a stone staircase, reflecting their rigid, stratified positions in society.
Feudalism was a system based on hierarchy, obligation, and fixed social roles. The rigid, stratified levels on the stairs mirror this pyramid, where each person's position is fixed within the larger social and political structure.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Feudalism" mean?
Feudalism is noun meaning: The medieval hierarchical system of land and loyalty.. The dominant social, economic, and political system of medieval Europe, based on the holding of land in exchange for military service and loyalty. Lords granted land (fiefs) to vassals, who owed service in return — a pyramid of obligation and protection.
Where does the word "Feudalism" come from?
From Medieval Latin 'feudum' (fief) + '-ism'. Coined by historians in the 17th–18th centuries to describe the medieval system retrospectively.