noun

voivode

VOY-vohd

Quiz me More like this

Voivode (noun) means a regional governor or military commander in central and eastern Europe, a title once held by the semi-independent princes who ruled Transylvania. Example: “The voivode governed the territory with near-total independence from the crown.”

noun

A regional governor or military commander in central and eastern Europe, a title once held by the semi-independent princes who ruled Transylvania.

"The voivode governed the territory with near-total independence from the crown."

"Chroniclers described the voivode leading his own army into battle."

"Transylvania was ruled by a succession of voivodes before it came under Habsburg control."

An administrative chief of a province in modern Poland.

"The voivode was appointed to oversee the region's local administration."

"Residents brought their complaint directly to the voivode's office."

"Each Polish province answers to its own voivode."

How to use voivode

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA voivode is a regional ruler or administrator, historically a warlord-style leader and today a Polish provincial chief.

When to use it

The word is largely confined to historical and Polish administrative contexts, so it reads as formal or specialist rather than everyday.

Memory tip

Think of it as roughly equivalent to 'governor', a title whose exact powers have varied by country and century.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

the voivode of a Polish voivode appointed voivode the voivode's office

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like voivode.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “voivode” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ governed the territory with near-total independence from the crown.

Etymology

Voivode entered English from several Slavic languages, among them Bulgarian, Czech, Polish, Russian and Serbo-Croatian, which each have their own close variant of the word. All of these trace back to the Proto-Slavic root vojevoda, meaning an army leader, duke or warlord.

Origin: Proto-Slavic (via various Slavic languages)

Rhymes for voivode

ode rode code mode bode node lode diode abode erode Rhode Goode

See all rhymes for voivode →

Frequently asked questions

What does voivode mean?

A voivode is a local ruler or official, historically a semi-independent leader in parts of central and eastern Europe, and today an administrative chief of a Polish province.

Is voivode still used today?

Yes, it remains the title for the head of a province in modern Poland.

What is the plural of voivode?

The plural is voivodes.

What is the meaning of voivode?

"voivode" (noun) means a regional governor or military commander in central and eastern Europe, a title once held by the semi-independent princes who ruled Transylvania.