1. payments made to authors, musicians, or inventors for the use of their work or patents
Usage: usually plural
2. members of a royal family collectively
Usage: usually plural

Examples

• The author receives royalties every time her book is sold.
• Musicians earn royalties when their songs are played on the radio.
• The inventor collected royalties from companies using his patent.
• European royalties attended the state dinner.
• The magazine featured photos of various royalties at the charity event.
• She invested her book royalties in real estate.
• The documentary explored the lives of modern royalties.