harem

A noun referring to the separate part of a Muslim household reserved for wives, concubines, and female servants, or historically, the women living in such a household.

• 🇫🇷Partie séparée d'une maison musulmane réservée aux épouses, concubines et servantes, ou, historiquement, les femmes qui y vivent.

1. Women's quarters B2 formal

   The part of a traditional Muslim household reserved for women, including wives, concubines, and female servants.

   • The sultan's harem was located in the palace's inner courtyard.
   • Historians study the social dynamics within the Ottoman harem.
   • Access to the harem was strictly forbidden to men outside the family.

   🇫🇷Partie de la maison réservée aux femmes

   Synonymes: seraglio

2. Group of female animals C1 formal scientific

   A group of female animals that are associated with a single male for mating purposes.

   • The dominant male lion protects his harem of lionesses.
   • In elephant seals, a single bull may have a harem of up to 50 females.
   • The male peacock displays its feathers to attract a harem of peahens.

   🇫🇷Harem (groupe d'animaux)

3. Group of women associated with one man B2 informal

   A group of women who are romantically or sexually involved with one man, often used in a historical or cultural context.

   • The movie depicted the king's harem in ancient Persia.
   • Some historical rulers maintained a harem of hundreds of women.
   • The term 'harem' is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a man with many female admirers.

   🇫🇷harem

   Synonymes: seraglio

• harems plural form
• harems' possessive plural form
• harem's possessive singular form