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 city’s residents tired of D’Annunzio’s reckless rule, and his bellicose posturing and expansionist maneuvers discomfited the Italian monarchy. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2025

Some of Harry's arguments against the royals relate to King Charles' long-standing desire to reduce the monarchy. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025

The future king, 11, joined his sister Charlotte in a carriage procession at Trooping the Colour in June 2024 when Republic protesters camped out in the English capital to wave yellow banners calling for the end of the monarchy. —Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025

The monarchy of Louis XVI was clearly bad, and the citizens were obviously mad, but the eventual outcome could not have been sadder. —Phil Terrana, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025

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