fiefdom

plural fiefdoms

1. countablehistoricaluncountableThe estate controlled by a feudal lord.

   The duke's fiefdom had been greatly expanded as a reward for his dutiful military service on behalf of the king.

   1 more example

   "If you wish to offer any of my vassals fiefdoms or positions in your new kingdom, they have my leave to accept. I promised them that when they came with me."

   1989, Robert Shea, The Saracen, The Holy War

   Synonyms: fief

2. broadlycountablederogatoryuncountableAny organization in the control of a dominant individual.

   “[Bill Clinton] was just walking around, looking in all the offices, like he was surveying his fiefdom. He had a big grin on his face.”

   2008, David Maraniss, First In His Class: A Biography Of Bill Clinton, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN

   2 more examples

   Hollande told cheering supporters in his rural fiefdom of Corrèze in south-west France that he was best-placed to lead France towards change, saying the vote marked a "rejection" of Sarkozy and a "sanction" against his five years in office.

   2012 April 23, Angelique Chrisafis, “François Hollande on top but far right scores record result in French election”, in The Guardian

   Bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX was run as the “personal fiefdom” of founder Sam Bankman-Fried, with one of the company’s units spending $300m on real estate in the Bahamas for the use of its executives, a court heard on Tuesday.

   2022 November 22, Dominic Rushe, “FTX was run as ‘personal fiefdom’ of Sam Bankman-Fried, court hears”, in The Guardian