Military leaders who control armies and territories, especially in times when central government is weak.
Compound of 'war' and 'lord,' literally meaning a noble ruler of war. The term gained prominence in historical descriptions of medieval and Chinese feudal periods when regional military leaders held power over land and people.
The warlord era in China (early 1900s) is a perfect example—when central authority collapsed, military strongmen filled the vacuum, controlling entire regions. This shows how 'warlord' isn't just about war; it's about the breakdown of organized government and the rise of fragmented power.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.