: a member of the British peerage ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
Examples of earl in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With James' support, George became an earl, a marquess and ultimately a duke (a rarity for nonroyals).
—
Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
Klimek: Moving into the 20th century, Tony cited the story of an English earl named Lord Carnarvon.
—Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Aug. 2023
Work began on the castle’s symmetrical wings and crowning dome in 1699 and after the lifetimes of three earls, it was finally completed in 1811.
—Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 8 Sep. 2023
Other changes came at the hands of 18th and 19th century Westminster Abbey schoolboys, including future earls, who carved their initials and other graffiti on the back of the chair.
—Norman Vanamee, Town & Country, 7 May 2023
See all Example Sentences for earl 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
Klimek: Moving into the 20th century, Tony cited the story of an English earl named Lord Carnarvon.
—Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Aug. 2023
Work began on the castle’s symmetrical wings and crowning dome in 1699 and after the lifetimes of three earls, it was finally completed in 1811.
—Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 8 Sep. 2023
Other changes came at the hands of 18th and 19th century Westminster Abbey schoolboys, including future earls, who carved their initials and other graffiti on the back of the chair.
—Norman Vanamee, Town & Country, 7 May 2023
See all Example Sentences for earl
Dictionary Entries Near earl
Cite this Entry
“Earl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earl. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share