noun

warlord

WAW-lawd

Warlord (noun) means a powerful military commander who controls an area through armed force, typically where central government authority is weak or absent. Example: “Rival warlords carved up the country after the government collapsed.”

noun

A powerful military commander who controls an area through armed force, typically where central government authority is weak or absent.

"Rival warlords carved up the country after the government collapsed."

"The region has been ruled by local warlords for over a decade."

How to use warlord

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA local strongman who rules by military force rather than by lawful government.

Common pairings

rival warlords local warlord warlord era

Word forms

warlords plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Rival _____ carved up the country after the government collapsed.

Etymology

A direct compound of war and lord.

Frequently asked questions

What does “warlord” mean?

The word “warlord” means a powerful military commander who controls an area through armed force, typically where central government authority is weak or absent. In plain terms, a local strongman who rules by military force rather than by lawful government.

How do you pronounce “warlord”?

“Warlord” is pronounced WAW-lawd (/ˈwɔɹlɔɹd/ in IPA).

How do you use “warlord” in a sentence?

Here is “warlord” used in a sentence: “Rival warlords carved up the country after the government collapsed.”

What part of speech is “warlord”?

“Warlord” is a noun.