theocracy

[ thee-ok-ruh-see ]
/ θiˈɒk rə si /

noun, plural the·oc·ra·cies.

a form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, the God's or deity's laws being interpreted by the ecclesiastical authorities.
a system of government by priests claiming a divine commission.
a commonwealth or state under such a form or system of government.

Origin of theocracy

From the Greek word theokratía, dating back to 1615–25. See theo-, -cracy

OTHER WORDS FROM theocracy

Example sentences from the Web for theocratical

British Dictionary definitions for theocratical

theocracy
/ (θɪˈɒkrəsɪ) /

noun plural -cies

government by a deity or by a priesthood
a community or political unit under such government

Derived forms of theocracy

theocrat, noun theocratic or theocratical, adjective theocratically, adverb

Cultural definitions for theocratical

theocracy
[ (thee-ok-ruh-see) ]

A nation or state in which the clergy exercise political power and in which religious law is dominant over civil law. Iran led by the Ayatollah Khomeini was a theocracy under the Islamic clergy. (See Islam.)