1. the rank, title, or dignity of a marquess
2. the territory or domain ruled by a marquess

Examples

• He inherited the marquessate from his father.
• The marquessate included vast estates in the countryside.
• She was granted a marquessate for her service to the crown.
• The ancient marquessate had been in the family for centuries.
• The boundaries of the marquessate extended to the river.
• Upon his death, the marquessate passed to his eldest son.