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

After the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, and especially when Nasrallah was assassinated in Beirut, many radicals concluded that the IRGC’s oligarchy had been infiltrated by Israeli intelligence. —Saeid Golkar, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2024

Less oligarchy with decks stacked against us, and more true representation among county commissioners. —Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2024

Even choices that seem obvious — like the optimism of a utopia falling prey to an oligarchy fronted by an egomaniacal orange — fail to materialize into anything briefly, well, fruitful. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 July 2024

Their rise to prominence over the old oligarchy mirrors Modi’s own, as the son of a tea seller, in contrast to his chief political opponent, Rahul Gandhi (no relation to the Mahatma), who is the son, grandson, and great-grandson of Indian Prime Ministers. —Maya Jasanoff, The New Yorker, 19 June 2024

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

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