Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

feudal

adjective

/ˈfjüdəl/

Definition

Relating to a social system in medieval Europe in which land was held by lords and worked by serfs.

Examples

The feudal system established clear social classes, with kings, nobles, and peasants.
In a feudal society, the rights to land were often more significant than wealth.
Many historians study the feudal arrangement of power during the Middle Ages.

Meaning

The feudal system was characterized by a hierarchy of lords, vassals, and serfs, where land ownership and service were exchanged for protection and loyalty.