villein

noun

vil·​lein ˈvi-lən How to pronounce villein (audio)
ˈvi-ˌlān, 
vi-ˈlān How to pronounce villein (audio)
plural villeins
1
: a free common villager or village peasant of any of the feudal classes lower in rank than the thane
2
: a free peasant of a feudal class higher in rank than a cotter
3
: an unfree peasant enslaved to a feudal lord but free in legal relations with respect to all others

Examples of villein in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Thus, villeins were blamed for the evils disrupting an otherwise peaceful world. — Marisha Pessl, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vilain, vilein — more at villain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of villein was in the 14th century

Rhymes for villein

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Browse Nearby Words

villeggiatura
villein
villeinhold
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Villein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/villein. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

villein

noun
vil·​lein ˈvil-ən How to pronounce villein (audio) ˈvil-ˌān How to pronounce villein (audio)
vil-ˈān
1
: a free peasant
2
: an unfree peasant enslaved to a feudal lord

More from Merriam-Webster on villein

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about villein

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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