aristocracy

noun

ar·​is·​toc·​ra·​cy ˌa-rə-ˈstä-krə-sē 

ˌer-ə-

plural aristocracies

1

: government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class

2

a

: a government in which power is vested (see vest entry 2 sense 1a) in a minority consisting of those believed to be best qualified

b

: a state with such a government

3

: a governing body or upper class usually made up of a hereditary nobility

a member of the British aristocracy

4

: a class or group of people believed to be superior (as in rank, wealth, or intellect)

an intellectual aristocracy

Synonyms

• elite
• gentility
• gentlefolk
• gentlefolks
• gentry
• nobility
• patriciate
• quality
• upper class
• upper crust

Examples of aristocracy in a Sentence

a member of the aristocracy

at one time in China only the aristocracy could own land

Recent Examples on the Web

Most came from the Prussian aristocracy, a group traditionally wary of Hitler's populism and Nazi ideology. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024

The royals and the aristocracy in England set the trend: some of the oldest topiaries in the country are the massive sculpted yew trees at Hampton Court, once the palace of Henry VIII. —Sophie Elmhirst, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024

Sotheby’s Geneva is auctioning off some of the aristocracy’s most spectacular and historically significant jewels in a dedicated sale this fall. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2024

As a covert agent for the British Home Office, Sirius makes a game of earning the aristocracy’s confidence. —Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 15 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French aristocratie, from Late Latin aristocratia, from Greek aristokratia, from aristos best + -kratia -cracy

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

aristocracy

noun

ar·​is·​toc·​ra·​cy ˌar-ə-ˈstäk-rə-sē 

plural aristocracies

1

: a government run by a small class of people

2

a

: an upper class that is usually based on birth and is richer and more powerful than the rest of society

b

: persons thought to be better than the rest of the community