Phrase guide

first estate

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The caste of clergy in medieval and early modern society, and in particular in France prior to 1789, as distinct from the nobility and the commoners.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: spirituality, spiritualty, third sex, clergy, first estate

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the clergy in France and the heads of the church in Britain

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: Lords Spiritual

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: estate of the realm, estate, the three estates

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.