First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
king
noun \ˈkiŋ\
: a male ruler of a country who usually inherits his position and rules for life
: a boy or man who is highly respected and very successful or popular
: a boy or man who is awarded the highest honor for an event or contest
Full Definition of KING
1
a : a male monarch of a major territorial unit; especially : one whose position is hereditary and who rules for life b : a paramount chief
3
: one that holds a preeminent position; especially : a chief among competitors
4
: the principal piece of each color in chess having the power to move ordinarily one square in any direction and to capture opposing pieces but being obliged never to enter or remain in check
5
: a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a king
6
: a checker that has been crowned
7
See king defined for English-language learners
See king defined for kids
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Origin of KING
Middle English, from Old English cyning; akin to Old High German kuning king, Old English cynn kin
Related to KING
King
biographical name \ˈkiŋ\
Definition of KING
B. B. 1925– originally Riley B. King Am. blues musician
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Billie Jean 1943– née Moffitt Am. tennis player
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Ernest Joseph 1878–1956 Am. admiral
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Martin Luther, Jr. 1929–1968 Am. clergyman & civil rights leader
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Rufus 1755–1827 Am. polit. & diplomat
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Stephen (Edwin) 1947– Am. writer
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William Lyon Mackenzie 1874–1950 Canad. statesman; prime min. (1921–26; 1926–30; 1935–48)
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William Rufus de Vane 1786–1853 Am. polit.; vice pres. of the United States (1853)
KING Defined for Kids
king
noun \ˈkiŋ\
Definition of KING for Kids
1
: a male ruler of a country who usually inherits his position and rules for life
2
: a person or thing that is better or more important than all others <the king of jazz>
3
: the chief piece in the game of chess
4
: a playing card bearing the picture of a king
5
: a piece in checkers that has reached the opponent's back row
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