harem: Meaning and Definition of

har•em

1. the part of a Muslim palace or house reserved for the residence of women.
2. the women in a Muslim household, including the mother, sisters, wives, concubines, daughters, entertainers, and servants.
3. a social group of females, as elephant seals, accompanied or followed by one fertile male who denies other males access to the group.
4. a group of women associated in any way with one man or household: Father joked that he had a harem of five daughters.