1. the land retained by a feudal lord for his own use, rather than granted to tenants
Usage: historical; chiefly British
2. a person's own or private land; a manor or estate
Usage: archaic or literary

Examples

• The king's demesne included vast forests and fertile valleys.
• Medieval lords worked the demesne with labor from their serfs.
• The castle and its surrounding demesne were passed down through generations.
• Peasants farmed the lord's demesne in exchange for the right to work their own plots.
• The demesne was carefully managed to provide income for the noble family.