1
a
: having the ancestry of a monarch : belonging to royalty
the royal family
b
: of, relating to, or subject to the crown
the royal estates
c
: being in the crown's service
Royal Air Force
2
a
: suitable for royalty : magnificent
received a royal welcome
b
: requiring no exertion : easy
There is no royal road to logic …—Justus Buchler
3
a
: of superior size, magnitude, or quality
… a patronage of royal dimensions.—J. H. Plumb
—often used as an intensivea royal pain
b
: established or chartered by the crown
4
: of, relating to, or being a part (such as a mast, sail, or yard) next above the topgallant
1
: a person of royal blood
2
: a small sail on the royal mast immediately above the topgallant sail
3
: a stag of 8 years or more having antlers with at least 12 points
Cite this Entry
“Royal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/royal. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.
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