castle doctrine

noun

A legal doctrine that designates a person's abode, or any legally occupied place, such as a vehicle or workplace, as a place in which that person has protections and immunities permitting him or her to use force to defend against intrusion.

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Meanings

nouncastle doctrine (plural castle doctrines)

plural castle doctrines

  1. lawA legal doctrine that designates a person's abode, or any legally occupied place, such as a vehicle or workplace, as a place in which that person has protections and immunities permitting him or her to use force to defend against intrusion.

Origin

From a man's home is his castle; for more information, see Wikipedia at castle doctrine § History.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

castle doctrine. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/castle%20doctrine

MLA

“castle doctrine.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/castle%20doctrine. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “castle doctrine,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/castle%20doctrine.

Source: castle doctrine on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.