Lord

In the UK, prefix used informally as a less formal alternative to the full title of a marquess, earl, or viscount, for example ‘Lord Salisbury’ instead of ‘the Marquess of Salisbury’. Barons are normally referred to as lords, the term baron being used for foreign holders of that rank. ‘Lord’ is also used as a courtesy title before the forename and surname of younger sons of dukes and marquesses.

It is prefixed to many official titles, for example, Lord High Steward, Lord Chamberlain, and Lord High Chancellor. Where a board has taken the place of an office of state, the members of that board are known as ‘lords commissioners’, or more commonly, lords of the particular office, for example ‘lords of the Admiralty’.

Bishops, whether members of the House of Lords or not, are addressed as ‘My Lord Bishop’ or ‘The Lord Bishop of ...’. All judges of the high court are addressed throughout the UK as ‘My Lord’ when acting in their official capacity. Mayors of certain large towns may use the prefix ‘Lord’.

Historically the term was equivalent to the Latin dominus (‘master’), and referred to rulers, heads of households, and owners of land. In medieval times ‘lord’ was the common term for a feudal superior, hence ‘lord of the manor’, and the king was often referred to as ‘the lord king’.