feudalism
/ˈfjudl̩ɪzəm/
noun
- The dominant social and political system in medieval Europe, based on the relationship of lords and vassals, where land was held in exchange for service and loyalty.
- The decline of feudalism began after the Black Death, when labor became scarce.
- Feudalism reached its peak in Europe during the 11th and 12th centuries.
- Students in history class learned how feudalism organized society into kings, nobles, knights, and peasants.
- A system or situation in which power is held by a small group of people at the top, and those below are dependent on them, often used to criticize modern societies or organizations.
- Some argue that modern feudalism exists in the tech industry, where a few platforms control vast resources.
- The political system in that country has been described as feudalism, with a wealthy elite ruling over a poor majority.
- The company's management style has been called a form of feudalism, with the CEO acting like a monarch.