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

This system, known as limited monarchy, was the pride of Great Britain. —Carla Gardina Pestana, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2025

These are to monopolies as oligarchies — rule by a few — are to monarchies. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025

This was partly because past projects not linked to the monarchy failed to gain a major audience, and also because there are signs that Americans have grown tired of the narrative of victimhood, having heard it multiple times. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

The series, for example, is a period piece around the Austrian monarchy with humor. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing monarchy

• constitutional monarchy

Kids 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