Estate
'ɪsteɪt
Definitions
3 meaningsA substantial amount of property, assets, and possessions, particularly of a person, especially at the time of their death, or a large area of land with a house.
'ɪsteɪt
A considerable amount of property, often including land, houses, and other possessions.
The family inherited a large estate from their grandparents.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone has a lot of stuff—a house, land, money. When they pass away, all of that is called their estate. It’s everything they owned!
👶 For kids: A grown-up's things, like a house, land, and money, especially when they die.
More Examples
The lawyer is handling the complexities of the estate.
The mansion sits on a vast estate.
How It's Used
"The deceased's estate was divided among their children."
"They bought a large estate in the countryside."
A large area of land, typically with a large house on it, often owned by a single person or family.
'ɪsteɪt
An area of land, especially in the countryside, that is owned by one person or family.
The luxurious estate boasts several swimming pools.
💡 Simply: Imagine a really big farm or a place with a giant house. That whole area of land, all belonging to the same person or family, that's an estate.
👶 For kids: A big piece of land with a house, like a farm or a park.
More Examples
The estate's gardens were beautifully manicured.
They manage their large hunting estate.
How It's Used
"The family's estate included acres of farmland."
"They lived on a gated estate for security."
In pre-revolutionary France, one of the three classes into which society was divided: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners.
'ɪsteɪt
One of the three social classes in France before the Revolution.
The meeting of the Estates-General was a prelude to the French Revolution.
💡 Simply: Imagine the old days in France. People were divided into groups, like a club. The estates were like those clubs – the clergy, the nobles, and everyone else.
👶 For kids: A kind of social group in old France.
More Examples
The Third Estate demanded equal rights.
The nobility comprised the Second Estate.
How It's Used
"The First Estate comprised the clergy."
Idioms & expressions
real estate
Property consisting of land or buildings.
"He invested in real estate."
estate agent
A person or company whose job is to arrange the selling, renting or management of properties.
"We contacted an estate agent to sell our house."
From Old French estat (13th century), from Latin status ('condition, state'). Initially referred to a social class or order, then evolved to mean a person's property.
The word estate has been used since the 13th century to denote a social class. Its meaning has evolved over time to include property and possessions.
Memory tip
Think of it as a state of property.
Word Origin
"condition, state"