Agency Dictionary
baron
nounPronunciation: /ˈbærən/
In Portuguese: barão
Society & Politics
History & CivilizationsWhat does “baron” mean?
A member of the aristocracy, or an influential magnate exercising commanding power in a specific industry.
Etymology
From Old French baron, from Late Latin baro, baronis, "man, freeman, warrior". The origin of the Latin word is uncertain; it is most often explained as a borrowing from Frankish. The word came into English after the Norman Conquest for the great men who held land directly from the king, and it later became the name of the lowest rank of the peerage. The sense of a powerful figure in an industry (press baron, robber baron) arose in the 19th century.
Usage note
As a title it is capitalised before a name (Baron Rothschild). In the business sense it usually follows the name of the industry: oil baron, media baron, drug baron.
Synonyms
- magnate
- tycoon
- mogul
- lord
- nobleman
Often confused with
- barren
- Barren, "unable to produce fruit or offspring", is pronounced like baron in most accents but is a different word.
Word family
- baroness
- barony
- baronial
- baronet
- baronetcy
Usage examples
A cup of coffee was only available for Barons and Dukes in the past but now it is a product accessible to everyone.
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
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