junta

noun

jun·​ta ˈhu̇n-tə  ˈjən- 

ˈhən-

1

: a council or committee for political or governmental purposes

especially : a group of persons controlling a government especially after a revolutionary seizure of power

a military junta

2

: junto

Examples of junta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For years, the junta, trying to maintain the illusion of normalcy, refuses to acknowledge that he was even arrested. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025

China is also seen as a key backer of Myanmar’s junta, which is embroiled in a civil war. —Colin Meyn, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025

The country’s ruling junta tortured and reportedly burned people alive, and both the military and rival Arakan Army rebel group are alleged to have engaged in ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims, with ethnic tensions rippling across the border into India. —Collin J. Meisel, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025

Since the coup, international sanctions imposed because of the army’s terrible human rights record have cut into the junta’s profits. —Hannah Beech, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from feminine of junto joined, from Latin junctus, past participle of jungere to join — more at yoke

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

junta

noun

jun·​ta ˈhu̇n-tə  ˈjənt-ə 

ˈhən-tə

1

: a group of persons controlling a government especially after a revolution

2

: junto