1. a person who held land from a feudal lord and received protection in return for homage and allegiance
Usage: historical
2. a person or country in a subservient position to another

Examples

• The knight served as a vassal to the powerful duke.
• Medieval vassals owed military service to their lords.
• The small nation became a vassal state of the empire.
• He refused to be treated like a vassal by his demanding boss.
• The feudal system was built on relationships between lords and vassals.
• Many vassals received land grants in exchange for their loyalty.