Etymology Inherited from Middle English trone, from Old French trone, from Latin thronus, from Ancient Greek θρόνος (thrónos, “a seat, chair”). Superseded earlier seld (“seat, throne”).
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An impressive seat used by a monarch, often on a raised dais in a throne room and reserved for formal occasions.
He approached the throne reverently.
9 After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could nūber, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, & tongues, ſtood before the throne, & before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palmes in their hands: 10 And cryed with a loude voice, ſaying, Saluation to our God, which ſitteth vpon the Throne, and vnto the Lambe. 11 And all the Angels ſtood round about the Throne, and about the Elders, and the foure beaſts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worſhipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Bleſſing, and glorie, and wiſedome, and thankeſgiuing, and honour, & power, and might be vnto our God for euer & euer, Amen.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Revelation 7:9–12, signature [Z6], verso, column 2:
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Before daylight, when the dragon flew home to sleep, he had burned up the hall and even the throne of the Geatish king.1961, Norma Lorre Goodrich, “Beowulf”, in The Medieval Myths, New York: The New American Library, page 41:
Cities will burn as you fall to your knees / I will inhale the dust of my enemies / Watch from my throne as I sit up all high / They scream as they burn / I laugh as they die2014, “Send Help”, in Coma Witch, performed by The Acacia Strain and Max Cavalera:
2
Figuratively Leadership, particularly the position of a monarch.
Queen Victoria sat upon the throne of England for 63 years.
The prince's newborn baby is fifth in line to the throne.
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40 Thou ſhalt be ouer my house, and according vnto thy word ſhall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater then thou.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Genesis 41:40–40, signature [D5], verso, column 2:
Stephen reigned from 1135-1154, that nasty period of our history dubbed 'The Anarchy', when forces loyal to Stephen contested the throne with those of Henry I's daughter Matilda, who by rights should have been queen. Stephen, her cousin, plonked his own posterior on the throne.2023 December 27, Stephen Roberts, “Bradshaw's Britain: the way to Weymouth”, in RAIL, number 999, page 52:
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The seat of a bishop in the cathedral-church of his diocese; also, the seat of a pope.
Pope Joan, who once occupied the throne of the Vatican, was reputed to be the blackest sorcerer of them all.1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 105:
"If she has intestinal flu, you probably called while she was on the throne and she didn't want to admit it," Alan said dryly.1991 October, Stephen King, Needful Things, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, →OL, page 169:
Christianity A member of an order of angels ranked above dominions and below cherubim.
16 For by him were all things created that are in heauen, and that are in earth, visible and inuisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Colossians 1:16–16, signature [T4], recto, column 2:
Etymology Inherited from Middle English trone, from Old French trone, from Latin thronus, from Ancient Greek θρόνος (thrónos, “a seat, chair”). Superseded earlier seld (“seat, throne”).
Archaic To place in an elevated position; to give sovereignty or dominion to; to exalt.
True image of the Father, whether throned / In the bosom of bliss, and light of light.1671, John Milton, “The First Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 4:
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Archaic To be in, or sit upon, a throne; to be placed as if upon a throne.