1. mercenary military leaders in medieval and Renaissance Italy who commanded private armies
Usage: historical; plural form

Examples

• The condottieri played a crucial role in Italian warfare during the 14th and 15th centuries.
• Many condottieri became wealthy and powerful through their military contracts with city-states.
• Francesco Sforza was one of the most famous condottieri who eventually became Duke of Milan.
• The condottieri system allowed Italian states to wage war without maintaining large standing armies.
• Some condottieri were foreigners who brought new military tactics to Italy.
• The rise of the condottieri marked a shift toward professional warfare in Renaissance Italy.