Definition

Noun: 1. A country or territory ruled by a sultan: A sultanate is a political entity, such as a nation or a region, whose sovereign ruler holds the title of Sultan. 2. The office, rank, or jurisdiction of a sultan: The term can also refer to the position, authority, or period of rule of a sultan.

Usage Examples

• As a country/territory:
  • Oman is a modern sultanate on the Arabian Peninsula.
  • The historical Malacca Sultanate was a powerful trading empire.
• As the office or rule:
  • During his sultanate, the empire expanded significantly.
  • The sultanate was passed down to his eldest son.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in historical and political contexts to describe specific Islamic monarchies, both past and present.
• It can be used figuratively to describe a domain where someone has complete control, though this is less common.
  • He ruled the company's finance department like his personal sultanate.

Variants and Related Words

• Sultan (noun): The sovereign ruler of a sultanate.
• Sultana (noun): A female sultan, or the wife, mother, or daughter of a sultan (usage varies).

Synonyms

• Kingdom (specifically one ruled by a sultan)
• Realm
• Dominion
• Emirate (a similar concept, ruled by an Emir)

Antonyms

• Republic
• Democracy

Related Phrases/Idioms

• The seat of the sultanate: Refers to the capital city or the central location of power for the sultanate.
  • The ancient city was once the seat of a powerful sultanate.

Noun

1. country or territory ruled by a sultan