nobility

noun

no·​bil·​i·​ty nō-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce nobility (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being noble in character, quality, or rank
2
: the body of persons forming the noble class in a country or state : aristocracy

Examples of nobility in a Sentence

the nobility of his character They have shown great courage and nobility of purpose.
Recent Examples on the Web Ahmed has a style of easy elegance befitting European nobility and her restrained suffering is the most palpable in the cast. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2024 The meat of common carp was held in high esteem and was at one point reserved only for nobility and clergymen. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 9 Aug. 2023 Yang wanted to bring a bit more depth and nobility to his Goldenloin, particularly in his romantic relationship with Ballister. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 29 June 2023 The mass production of terrazzo started in the 1500’s, initiated by construction workers and architects in Europe as a way to repurpose the off cuts of marble and onyx used for paving the government buildings, churches and homes of Italian nobility. Grace Banks, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Heidelberg was a thriving university town where sons of nobility and the rising industrialist class went to further their education. Yolanda Evans, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2024 There’s nobility in amassing all the ingredients to go viral, but refusing to do so: Dae, in its precious, fragile way is much bigger than a few likes. Joshua Glass, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2024 Mary’s strongest loyalty was to her French relatives—leading her to underestimate a dissatisfied Scottish nobility. Condé Nast, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023 Such crosses are very rare, and its presence indicated the young woman was likely a member of Anglo-Saxon nobility, particularly when combined with the evidence of the bed burial. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 23 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nobility.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nobilite, from Anglo-French nobilité, from Latin nobilitat-, nobilitas, from nobilis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nobility was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near nobility

Cite this Entry

“Nobility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nobility. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nobility

noun
no·​bil·​i·​ty nō-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce nobility (audio)
plural nobilities
1
: the quality or state of being noble
nobility of character
2
: the body of persons forming the noble class in a country or state
a member of the nobility

More from Merriam-Webster on nobility

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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