gentry

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As opportunities to flex their military might diminished, samurai instead became landed gentry, taking on bureaucratic roles as tax agents, heads of fire brigades and land managers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

Dr. Guy says that dropping the "ap" was a change which happened over time, and that the gentry led, with the rest of the population then following.

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2023

That began with the burning of some bails — small wooden pegs that sit atop cricket stumps — after a team of English gentry lost to a squad of colonial upstarts from Australia.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 15, 2023

As part of the gentry but unmarried, Bridget would have lost her reputation had the illegitimate birth been known then.

From Salon • May 22, 2023

His appeal, his tears, moved all the gentry listening there; but now they saw the crier and the minstrel come from Odysseus’ hall, where they had slept.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer