1. plural of caliphate; Islamic states or territories ruled by caliphs
Usage: historical; political

Examples

• The Abbasid and Umayyad caliphates were major powers in medieval times.
• Several caliphates controlled vast territories across the Middle East and North Africa.
• The rise and fall of various caliphates shaped Islamic history.
• These caliphates established important centers of learning and culture.
• The Ottoman Empire was one of the last great caliphates.
• Modern extremist groups have attempted to establish new caliphates.