1. people who held land from a feudal lord and received protection in return for homage and allegiance
Usage: historical
2. people or countries that are subordinate to or controlled by another

Examples

• The king’s vassals owed him military service in exchange for their lands.
• Medieval vassals swore oaths of loyalty to their feudal lords.
• The conquered territories became vassals of the expanding empire.
• Many small nations were treated as vassals by the superpower.
• The duke’s vassals gathered at the castle for the annual ceremony.
• These client states were essentially vassals of the dominant country.