The term **霸王** (bàwáng) is a compound word formed by combining **霸** (bà), meaning "hegemon" or "overlord" (one who rules by force and might), with **王** (wáng), meaning "king" or "rightful sovereign." Historically, it refers to a ruler who holds supreme power through military dominance rather than through the traditional Mandate of Heaven or hereditary legitimacy, famously exemplified by **Xiang Yu**, the "Hegemon-King of Western Chu." Conceptually, it juxtaposes the idea of coercive power (霸) with legitimate kingship (王), creating a title for a de facto ruler whose authority stems from strength rather than virtue or rite. In modern usage, it extends metaphorically to describe anyone or anything domineering, monopolistic, or tyrannical in a given field.