oligarchy

noun

ol·​i·​gar·​chy ˈä-lə-ˌgär-kē  ˈō- 

plural oligarchies

1

: government by the few

The corporation is ruled by oligarchy.

2

: a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes

a military oligarchy was established in the country

also : a group exercising such control

An oligarchy ruled the nation.

3

: an organization under oligarchic control

That country is an oligarchy.

Did you know?

Oligarchy and Other Words for Rulers

Oligarchy is one of numerous English words for a type of rule or government. Some of these words, such as plutocracy, have an exceedingly similar meaning (both may be used to refer to rule by an economic elite, but oligarchy often has the additional connotation of corruption). Besides these two, we have meritocracy “a system in which the talented are chosen and moved ahead on the basis of their achievement,” monarchy “a form of government in which a country is ruled by a king or queen,” ochlocracy “government by the mob," and gerontocracy “rule by elders,” among many others.

Examples of oligarchy in a Sentence

Their nation is an oligarchy.

An oligarchy rules their nation.

The corporation is ruled by oligarchy.

Recent Examples on the Web

As this theory went, an unbalanced government would descend into tyranny with a too-powerful monarch; oligarchy under a dominant aristocratic class; or anarchy with the people out of control. —Carla Gardina Pestana, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2025

Our current president is overturning our government into an oligarchy, women and femmes are seeing their body autonomy stripped away, and there’s a culture war against trans and LGBTQ+ people. —Melanie Curry, refinery29.com, 17 Feb. 2025

This oligarchy is now free to serve their own interests and maximize earnings with government contracts and favorable policies. —Linda Thompson Gonzalez, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025

The proximity of so many of the world’s wealthiest people to Trump’s incoming government led former President Joe Biden to warn of a burgeoning U.S. oligarchy of tech billionaires. —Thomas Beaumont, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, Late Latin & Greek; Middle French oligarchie, borrowed from Late Latin oligarchia, borrowed from Greek oligarchía, from olig- olig- + -archia -archy

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oligarchy

• hierarchy
• matriarchy
• patriarchy
• arche
• sparky
• autarky
• menarche

Kids Definition

oligarchy

noun

oli·​gar·​chy

ˈäl-ə-ˌgär-kē,

ˈō-lə-

plural oligarchies

1

: government by the few

2

: a government in which a small group exercises control

also : a group exercising such control

3

: an organization controlled by a small group