second estate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, historical, academic
Quick answer
What does “second estate” mean?
The second of the traditional three estates of the realm in a feudal European society, specifically the nobility or aristocracy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The second of the traditional three estates of the realm in a feudal European society, specifically the nobility or aristocracy.
In modern usage, a historical term referring to the privileged class of nobles; can be used figuratively to describe any powerful, exclusive, or privileged social or professional group.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The concept is more commonly referenced in British historical contexts due to its association with the British Parliament's history.
Connotations
Historical, archaic, hierarchical.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, but slightly higher in British academic/historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “second estate” in a Sentence
the + second estatesecond estate + of + (country/kingdom)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “second estate” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His second-estate lineage was a source of immense pride and political clout.
American English
- The second-estate privileges were formally abolished after the revolution.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in history, political science, and sociology to discuss pre-modern social structures.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be considered obscure or pretentious.
Technical
Used as a precise historical term in certain scholarly fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “second estate”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “second estate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “second estate”
- Using 'second estate' to refer to modern political bodies (e.g., the Senate).
- Using it in a non-historical context.
- Capitalising it incorrectly (lowercase unless starting a sentence or in a title).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a historical term. You might encounter it in history books, but not in contemporary political or social discussion.
The first estate was the clergy, meaning the body of people ordained for religious duties in the Christian church.
It would be incorrect and sound odd. For modern powerful elites, terms like 'the elite', 'the one percent', or 'the upper class' are appropriate.
'Fourth estate' is a separate, later term (from the 19th century) that refers to the press and news media, metaphorically extending the old 'three estates' model.
The second of the traditional three estates of the realm in a feudal European society, specifically the nobility or aristocracy.
Second estate is usually formal, historical, academic in register.
Second estate: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsek.ənd ɪˈsteɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsek.ənd əˈsteɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a king's court: FIRST, the clergy pray (First Estate), SECOND in line for power are the nobles (Second Estate), and THIRD are all the common people.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL HIERARCHY IS A BUILDING (with foundational 'estates'). POWER IS A SPECTRUM (with three distinct bands).
Practice
Quiz
The 'second estate' historically referred to which social group?