What does throne mean?
Throne most commonly denotes the formal seat occupied by a monarch or sovereign. It also refers figuratively to the monarch's position, authority, and sometimes the institution of monarchy itself, as in “the throne” or “accession to the throne.” The word commonly appears in historical, political, and ceremonial contexts, where it evokes authority, continuity, inheritance, and the symbolic power of a ruler. In older and literary writing, throne can also be used as a verb: a person may be “throned” after being formally installed as a ruler. The literal object is important to the word's imagery, since the physical seat of state has traditionally represented the sovereign's right to rule. Although “throne” can refer to a specific piece of furniture, its figurative use is often more prominent in modern English.
A seat of state for a monarch or other sovereign, especially a king or queen. By extension, “the throne” denotes the monarch's position, authority, or the institution of monarchy.
"The queen addressed the nation from the throne during her coronation ceremony."
The noun is standard in formal, historical, political, and ceremonial contexts.
To occupy a throne; to place or install someone on a throne.
"The victorious claimant was throned after the ceremonial dispute had ended."
Rare outside historical, ceremonial, or elevated writing; “throned” is commonly used in the passive construction.
The regular plural is “thrones.”
"The museum displayed two carved thrones from the medieval period."
A throne is one of the few everyday words in which a piece of furniture can stand for an entire system of government.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does throne come from?
The English word entered Middle English through Old French trone, which came from Latin thronus. Latin thronus was borrowed from Greek thronos, a word for a raised seat or platform. The same Greek root underlies related English forms such as thronize, a rarer verb meaning to place someone on a throne.
Related word forms
How throne is actually used
The noun is standard in formal, historical, political, and ceremonial contexts. The verb is much rarer and is chiefly used in historical or elevated writing.
Easily confused with throne
“Thrown” is the past participle of “throw,” as in “the ball was thrown,” whereas “throne” is a seat of state or, figuratively, royal authority.