peerage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “peerage” mean?
The collective term for all the peers (dukes, earls, barons, etc.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The collective term for all the peers (dukes, earls, barons, etc.) in a country, or the system of having such ranks.
1. The rank or title of a peer, considered individually (e.g., "He was granted a peerage"). 2. A book listing all the peers and their lineages.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is most relevant in UK contexts due to the active British honours system. In the US, its use is almost exclusively historical or academic, referencing the UK or other monarchies.
Connotations
UK: Current, political (House of Lords), social hierarchy. US: Archaic, historical, foreign.
Frequency
Significantly higher frequency in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “peerage” in a Sentence
[verb] + peerage (grant, receive, inherit, hold)peerage + [preposition] + [noun] (peerage of the United Kingdom)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “peerage” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No common verb form.
American English
- No common verb form.
adverb
British English
- No common adverb form.
American English
- No common adverb form.
adjective
British English
- No common adjective form. Use 'peers' as attributive noun (e.g., 'peerage law').
American English
- No common adjective form.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in historical contexts regarding land ownership or corporate titles derived from peerages.
Academic
Common in history, political science, and literature studies discussing social structures, monarchy, or British politics.
Everyday
Very rare. Would only be used in specific discussions about UK news/politics or historical drama.
Technical
Used precisely in constitutional law (UK) and heraldry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “peerage”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “peerage”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “peerage”
- Using 'peerage' to refer to a single person (e.g., 'He is a peerage' is wrong; correct: 'He is a peer' or 'He holds a peerage').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A peerage confers a title (like Lord, Baron, Duke) and, historically, a seat in the House of Lords. A knighthood (e.g., Sir/Dame) is a lower rank in the honours system and does not confer membership in the peerage.
A life peerage (e.g., Baron/Baroness) is granted for the recipient's lifetime only and is not passed to their children. A hereditary peerage is inherited by the holder's heir according to the letters patent that created it.
No, the sale of peerages is illegal in the UK (Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925). They are officially granted by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.
It refers to the specific title itself. Example: 'He was offered a peerage but declined it.' This means he was offered the specific title/rank of peer.
The collective term for all the peers (dukes, earls, barons, etc.
Peerage is usually formal in register.
Peerage: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɪərɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɪrɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(to have) a seat in the peerage”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"PEERage" is the status of being a PEER. Think: 'A group of PEERS makes up the PEERAGE.'
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL HIERARCHY IS A LADDER (elevated to the peerage, rise to the peerage).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate definition of 'peerage' in a modern UK context?