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

His only friends were the sons and some daughters of the old English aristocracy, who were all like this. —Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 19 Mar. 2025

Its purple dye, now faded to a red tint, was associated with elite aristocracy in ancient times, the institute said. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025

Built circa 1730, the grand residence, now on the market with Italy Sotheby’s International Realty for €5.2 million (or $5.6 million), embodies the opulence of 18th-century aristocracy while offering a slate of modern comforts, thanks to extensive renovations in the 1990s. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2025

Netflix’s lush historical drama tackles the struggles of the aristocracy in 19th-century Sicily amid the attempts at the unification of Italy. —Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for aristocracy

• meritocracy
• autocracy
• bureaucracy
• democracy
• hypocrisy
• plutocracy
• theocracy

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