noun
Uncommon
Reich
rykh
Reich (noun) means a German empire, kingdom, or state, especially Nazi Germany (the Third Reich). Example: “The film is set in Berlin during the final days of the Reich.”
noun
1
A German empire, kingdom, or state, especially Nazi Germany (the Third Reich).
"The film is set in Berlin during the final days of the Reich."
"Obviously, Schmitt envisaged Nazi Germany as the Reich at the heart of the European great space, which he sought to shield from Anglo-American interference."
— Brendan Simms, Has a Nazi theorist’s vision of a world divided into ‘great spaces’ found a new advocate in Trump? (2026)
2
By extension, any harshly authoritarian or oppressive regime.
"Critics mockingly called the strict new office rules "the boss's little reich.""
How to use Reich
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGerman for "empire" or "state" — in English almost always used to refer to Nazi Germany.
When to use it
Outside historical contexts, using this word to describe something else is usually a pointed, critical exaggeration.
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The film is set in Berlin during the final days of the _____.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from German Reich, "empire, realm."
Frequently asked questions
What does “Reich” mean?
The word “Reich” means a German empire, kingdom, or state, especially Nazi Germany (the Third Reich). In plain terms, german for "empire" or "state" — in English almost always used to refer to Nazi Germany.
How do you pronounce “Reich”?
“Reich” is pronounced rykh (/ɹaɪx/ in IPA).
How do you use “Reich” in a sentence?
Here is “Reich” used in a sentence: “The film is set in Berlin during the final days of the Reich.”
What part of speech is “Reich”?
“Reich” is a noun.
Where does the word “Reich” come from?
The word “Reich” comes from German. Borrowed directly from German Reich, "empire, realm.".
Is “Reich” a common word?
“Reich” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Reich” have?
“Reich” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a German empire, kingdom, or state, especially Nazi Germany (the Third Reich).
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