Sheikhdom

A sheikhdom (alt. sheikdom) (Arabic:مشيخة‎ [Mashyakhah]) is a geographical area or a society ruled by a sheikh (Arabic: شيخ‎). Sheikhdoms exist almost exclusively within Arab countries, particularly in the Arabian Peninsula.

The word is generally used as a descriptive term for political systems rather than as a noun (such as the case is with "Kingdom"), and although some countries are ruled by a sheikh, they are not typically referred to as sheikdoms.