monarchy

[ mon-er-kee ]
/ ˈmɒn ər ki /

noun, plural mon·ar·chies.

a state or nation in which the supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in a monarch. Compare absolute monarchy, limited monarchy.
supreme power or sovereignty held by a single person.

Origin of monarchy

1300–50; Middle English monarchie < Late Latin monarchia < Greek monarchía. See monarch, -y3

OTHER WORDS FROM monarchy

an·ti·mon·ar·chy, adjective pro·mon·ar·chy, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for monarchy

British Dictionary definitions for monarchy

monarchy
/ (ˈmɒnəkɪ) /

noun plural -chies

a form of government in which supreme authority is vested in a single and usually hereditary figure, such as a king, and whose powers can vary from those of an absolute despot to those of a figurehead
a country reigned over by a king, prince, or other monarch

Cultural definitions for monarchy

monarchy
[ (mon-uhr-kee, mon-ahr-kee) ]

A system of government in which one person reigns, usually a king or queen. The authority, or crown, in a monarchy is generally inherited. The ruler, or monarch, is often only the head of state, not the head of government. Many monarchies, such as Britain and Denmark, are actually governed by parliaments. (See absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy.)