1. Of or relating to a monarch.
2. Of the rank of a monarch.
3. Of, relating to, or in the service of a kingdom.
4. Issued or performed by a monarch: a royal warrant; a royal visit.
5. Founded, chartered, or authorized by a monarch: a royal society of musicians.
6. Befitting royalty; stately: royal treatment.
7. 1. Superior, as in size or quality.
   2. Used as an intensive: "It would be a first-class royal mess" (Sam Nunn).

1. Informal. A member of a monarch's family: "Among the resort's distinguished visitors are Swedish and Spanish royals" (Alistair Scott).
2. Nautical. A sail set on the royalmast.
3. A paper size, 20 by 25 inches for printing, 19 by 24 inches for writing.

the royal road

1. A way or method that presents no difficulties: the royal road to success.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin rēgālis, from rēx, rēg-, king.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.