viscount

noun

vis·count ˈvī-ˌkau̇nt

: a member of the peerage in Great Britain ranking below an earl and above a baron

viscountcy

ˈvī-ˌkau̇n(t)-sē

noun

viscounty

ˈvī-ˌkau̇n-tē

noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web How does the sequel explore how Enola and the viscount each subvert traditional gender roles?

Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Nov. 2022 Those who read and love the book series know that the viscount and viscountess have three kids.

Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 9 Apr. 2022 The show’s second season centers on Lord Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), a viscount and the eldest son of the Bridgerton family.

Max Gao, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 Apr. 2022 One thing is for certain though: Jonathan Bailey, who plays Anthony, and Simone Ashley, who plays Kate Sharma, will officially be returning as the viscount and the new viscountess to head the Bridgerton household.

Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 2 Apr. 2022 At long last, the viscount has found his viscountess.

Max Gao, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 Apr. 2022 Much of the plot in season two revolved around Jonathan Bailey’s character, Anthony Bridgerton, coming into his role as viscount and head of the household.

Alexis Gaskin, Glamour, 31 Mar. 2022 This season observes the mating rites of Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), the eldest Bridgerton sibling and a viscount.

New York Times, 24 Mar. 2022 Her father's a viscount and her mother was a French opera dancer.

Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 Nov. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'viscount.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English viscounte sheriff, viscount, from Anglo-French visquens, visconte, from Medieval Latin vicecomit-, vicecomes, from Late Latin vice- vice- + comit-, comes count — more at count

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of viscount was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century