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
While the king still loves him as a brother, there is the family business – the monarchy.
—
Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2025
The Hashemite monarchy has had an uneasy relationship with Palestinian activism.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025
The event at Highgrove will also be attended by American actor Stanley Tucci, who is of Italian descent, and the Italian ambassador to the UK, Inigo Lambertini, and is expected to offer a meaningful glimpse into the strong connection between the British monarchy and Italy.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
That creates the risk that British people continue to perceive Prince Andrew's now multitudinous scandals as having an impact not only on his own reputation, but also that of the monarchy as a whole.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for monarchy 
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Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2025
The Hashemite monarchy has had an uneasy relationship with Palestinian activism.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025
The event at Highgrove will also be attended by American actor Stanley Tucci, who is of Italian descent, and the Italian ambassador to the UK, Inigo Lambertini, and is expected to offer a meaningful glimpse into the strong connection between the British monarchy and Italy.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
That creates the risk that British people continue to perceive Prince Andrew's now multitudinous scandals as having an impact not only on his own reputation, but also that of the monarchy as a whole.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for monarchy
Articles Related to monarchy
Dictionary Entries Near monarchy
Cite this Entry
“Monarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monarchy. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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