monarchy

noun

mon·​ar·​chy ˈmä-nər-kē 

 also  -ˌnär-

plural monarchies

1

: undivided rule or absolute sovereignty by a single person

Saudi Arabia is governed by a monarchy.

2

: a nation or state having a monarchical government

Britain is a monarchy.

3

: a government having a hereditary chief of state with life tenure and powers varying from nominal to absolute

The country's hereditary monarchy survived for centuries.

Examples of monarchy in a Sentence

the French monarchy of the 18th century

Recent Examples on the Web

The wife of Charles II, whose ascension to the throne in 1660 marked the restoration of the British monarchy after the upheaval of civil war, Catherine is remembered, when she is remembered at all, for enduring her husband’s infidelity and the elevation of his many mistresses. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2024

To those who want to get rid of the monarchy — once they’re gone, they’re gone. —Janine Henni, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024

These movies usually follow small businesses on the verge of collapse that are saved by hidden fortunes, or else depict the monarchy as a…force for good? —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 22 Nov. 2024

His passion projects include studying solutions to homelessness and championing environmental causes, with an eye toward securing the future, signaling a more modern view of the monarchy, BBC News noted. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 11 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing monarchy

• constitutional monarchy

Kids Definition

monarchy

noun

mon·​ar·​chy ˈmän-ər-kē 

plural monarchies

1

: total rule by one person

2

: a nation or country ruled by a monarch

3

: a form of government having a chief of state who inherits the position, rules for life, and holds powers varying from very limited to total