sultanate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal; Academic; Historical/Geopolitical
Quick answer
What does “sultanate” mean?
A state or territory ruled by a sultan.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A state or territory ruled by a sultan.
The office, jurisdiction, or period of rule of a sultan. Can also refer to a system of government with a sultan as the sovereign.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling is identical. British English may have slightly higher frequency due to historical colonial ties with regions like the Middle East and South Asia.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Evokes images of historical empires, Islamic governance, and Middle Eastern/Southeast Asian geography.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse, but comparable between BrE and AmE. More common in historical, political, or geographical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “sultanate” in a Sentence
the sultanate of [Country/Region]the [Adjective] sultanateduring the sultanateVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sultanate” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- sultanate-era architecture
- sultanate-period manuscripts
American English
- sultanate-era artifacts
- sultanate-period history
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in historical context, names of companies, or in discussions of Middle Eastern/North African markets (e.g., 'business in the Sultanate').
Academic
Common in history, political science, and Middle Eastern/Islamic studies (e.g., 'the socio-political structure of the Delhi Sultanate').
Everyday
Very rare. Might appear in news about countries like Oman or Brunei, or in historical documentaries.
Technical
Used in historical and political terminology to denote a specific form of monarchical state.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sultanate”
- Misspelling as 'sultanite' or 'sultanat'. Using it to refer to the ruler (sultan) rather than the territory or period of rule.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically and commonly, yes, as the title 'sultan' is an Islamic title. However, the term is defined by the ruler's title, not the state religion.
Both are monarchies. 'Kingdom' is a general term (ruled by a king/queen). 'Sultanate' is specific, ruled by a sultan, and carries strong cultural/historical ties to the Muslim world.
Yes. Notable examples are the Sultanate of Oman and the Sultanate of Brunei. Others, like Malaysia, have constituent states that are sultanates.
Yes. It can refer to the period during which a particular sultan rules or a dynasty of sultans holds power (e.g., 'during the Seljuk sultanate').
A state or territory ruled by a sultan.
Sultanate is usually formal; academic; historical/geopolitical in register.
Sultanate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌl.tə.neɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌl.tə.neɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SUIT (sounds like 'sul') worn by a TAN (tan) man who ATE (ate) dinner while ruling his country -> SUIT-TAN-ATE = SULTANATE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SULTANATE IS A CONTAINER (for power, culture, history). A SULTANATE IS A LIVING ENTITY (that rises, falls, expands, contracts).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'sultanate'?