Definitions

1. noun

a woman who is the companion of a man, especially one with whom he has a sexual relationship, often outside marriage

“The emperor had several concubines in his harem.”

2. noun

a woman who is in a position of secondary status to a wife, especially in a polygamous household

“In ancient China, concubines were often kept in separate quarters from the wife.”

3. noun

a woman who is in a close and often romantic relationship with a man, often without being married to him

“The couple had a long-term relationship, but she was hesitant to become a concubine.”

4. noun

a woman who is in a subordinate or inferior position to a man, often in a social or economic sense

“The concubine was treated poorly by her husband’s family.”