A mogul is usually a very rich, powerful, and influential person, especially in business, media, or entertainment. The word is often used like “tycoon” or “magnate,” for example a “tech mogul” or “movie mogul.”

Core meaning: power and influence

  • A mogul is a person who has significant wealth , control, and influence in a specific industry (tech, film, music, real estate, etc.).
  • Common phrases include “media mogul,” “Hollywood mogul,” or “real estate mogul,” all pointing to someone who dominates that field.
  • It’s close in meaning to terms like “business magnate,” “tycoon,” or “captain of industry.”

Other meanings of “mogul”

  • History: “Mogul” (or “Mughal”) can refer to members of the Muslim dynasty that ruled large parts of India from the 16th to 19th centuries.
  • Skiing: A “mogul” is also a bump on a ski slope, formed naturally by turns or built artificially for competitions.

Where the word comes from

  • The business sense of “mogul” grew from the fame of the Mughal emperors, whose power and wealth made the word associated with rulers and big leaders.
  • Over time it shifted into modern usage for powerful figures in commerce, media, and technology.

TL;DR: When people say “a mogul” today, they almost always mean a highly successful, very powerful person in an industry, like a major tech or media boss.