peer of the realm

English

Noun

peer of the realm (plural peers of the realm)

1. (UK) Any member of the House of Lords who is not a life peer.
2. (UK, historical) Any member of the hereditary peerage of the United Kingdom, (chiefly) of the Kingdom of England.
   • c. 1591 William Shakespeare, The ſecond Part of Henry the Sixt, with the death of the Good Duke Humfrey, iv. vii. 117

     The proudest Peere in the Realme shall not weare a head on his shoulders vnlesse he pay me tribute.

   • 1707, John Chamberlayne, Angliæ Notitia 22nd ed., iii. iii. 276

     All Peers of the Realm being look'd on as the King's Hereditary constant Counsellors.

3. Any similar member of the nobility of other kingdoms.