fiefdom

fief +‎ -dom

• IPA^(key): /ˈfiːf.dəm/

fiefdom (countable and uncountable, plural fiefdoms)

1. The estate controlled by a feudal lord; a fief.

   The duke's fiefdom had been greatly expanded as a reward for his dutiful military service on behalf of the king.

2. (by extension, chiefly derogatory) Any organization in the control of a dominant individual.

   Most of our company's computers are standardized, but the IT director allows the employees in his own little fiefdom to specify their own machines.

   • 2012 April 23, Angelique Chrisafis, “François Hollande on top but far right scores record result in French election”, in the Guardian‎:

     Hollande told cheering supporters in his rural fiefdom of Corrèze in south-west France that he was best-placed to lead France towards change, saying the vote marked a "rejection" of Sarkozy and a "sanction" against his five years in office.