noun
royalty
ROY-uhl-tee
noun
1
Kings, queens, and their families, considered as a group.
"Royalty from across Europe gathered for the coronation."
2
A payment made to someone for the ongoing use of their work, invention, or property, such as a book, song, or oil field.
"The author earns a royalty on every copy of the book sold."
"The oil company pays the landowner a royalty for drilling rights."
How to Use Royalty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the royal family as a group, or money paid to a creator or owner each time their work or resource is used.
Common mistake
Context usually makes the meaning clear, but don't confuse the "payment" sense with a one-off fee — a royalty is typically ongoing, tied to sales or usage.
Common pairings
pay royalties
royalty payment
members of royalty
Word Forms
royalties plural, Royaltys plural
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_____ from across Europe gathered for the coronation.
Etymology
From Old French roialté, going back to Latin rēgālis, "royal" — the payment sense developed because royalty payments were originally rights granted by a king or the Crown.