theocracy

noun

the·​oc·​ra·​cy thē-ˈä-krə-sē 

plural theocracies

1

: government of a state by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided

2

: a state governed by a theocracy

Examples of theocracy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tehran began this process by intervening in Lebanon, which was in the throes of its long civil war when Iran became a theocracy. —Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024

The film argues that allowing evangelical leaders to wield such power threatens to make Brazil a national theocracy. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024

Hard-liners also now dominate the legislature and the judiciary, which is infamous for imposing draconian sentences, including death by hanging, for vague charges related to offending the theocracy or Islam. —Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024

America is a democracy, not a theocracy run by the Catholic Church. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek theokratia, from the- + -kratia -cracy

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

theocracy

noun

the·​oc·​ra·​cy thē-ˈäk-rə-sē 

plural theocracies

1

: government of a country by officials believed to have divine guidance

2

: a country governed by a theocracy