fiefdom

[feef-duh m] /ˈfif dəm/
noun
1.
the estate or domain of a feudal lord.
2.
Informal. anything, as an organization or real estate, owned or controlled by one dominant person or group.
Origin
1805-15; fief + -dom
Examples from the web for fiefdom
  • The barriers from one fiefdom to the next are fluid and invisible to anyone who doesn't know better.
  • Again, inconsistent, a values-per-fiefdom operation.
  • Giving him the unique elevation that allows him the power to pontificate on matters of little consequence to his fiefdom.
  • Because every railroad is its own fiefdom and they don't want to play together.
  • They allocated budget, and chartered a department and a new little fiefdom of transportation security was born.
British Dictionary definitions for fiefdom

fiefdom

/ˈfiːfdəm/
noun
1.
(in feudal Europe) the property owned by a lord
2.
an area over which a person or organization exerts authority or influence
Word Origin and History for fiefdom
n.

1814, from fief + -dom.