conqueror

Conqueror is a noun and occasionally an epithet referring to a person who conquers, typically by force, to expand control over territory or peoples. The term derives from Old French conqueror, from Latin conquirere, meaning to win over or seize. In historical contexts, conquerors are often rulers whose military campaigns established new realms or reshaped borders. The label is frequently attached to prominent figures such as William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy and King of England, whose 11th‑century invasion of England in 1066 led to the Norman conquest and lasting cultural and administrative changes.

Genghis Khan is another figure sometimes described in English as “the Conqueror,” though he is more commonly known as “the Great Khan.” In broader usage, conqueror can denote any person who defeats opponents in battle or overruns territories, or metaphorically someone who overcomes substantial challenges.

In popular culture, the phrase appears in titles such as The Conqueror, a 1956 film about Genghis Khan. The word also appears in books, biographies, and fictional works that center on conquest, empire building, or military leadership.

The term remains a general descriptor rather than an official title in most contexts, and it carries both admiration and critique depending on perspective toward conquest and its consequences. Modern usage may apply to sports, competition, or other domains where someone is described as having decisively overcome rivals.