aristocracy

noun

ar·​is·​toc·​ra·​cy ˌa-rə-ˈstä-krə-sē 

ˌer-ə-

plural aristocracies

1

: government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class

2

a

: a government in which power is vested (see vest entry 2 sense 1a) in a minority consisting of those believed to be best qualified

b

: a state with such a government

3

: a governing body or upper class usually made up of a hereditary nobility

a member of the British aristocracy

4

: a class or group of people believed to be superior (as in rank, wealth, or intellect)

an intellectual aristocracy

Synonyms of aristocracy

• nobility
• gentry

Examples of aristocracy in a Sentence

a member of the aristocracy

at one time in China only the aristocracy could own land

Recent Examples on the Web

This time, Industry unfolds as a sharp, uncomfortable on-the-nose commentary of modern politics, media, technocrats and the seemingly-immovable aristocracy of British society. —Chloe Laws, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026

To paraphrase a member of the European aristocracy, even Louis Vuitton and Bravo casting directors make mistakes. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026

The best dressed women in the world adored his designs, and his clientele included everyone from American First Ladies and Movie Stars to members of the aristocracy. —Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

The Kardashians and other ring-light aristocracy passed around asymptomatic tests like hors d’oeuvres for parties while frontline clinicians — going toe-to-toe with the virus and terrified of turning their children into their next patients — were informed there simply weren’t tests to spare. —Jennifer W. Tsai, STAT, 18 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French aristocratie, from Late Latin aristocratia, from Greek aristokratia, from aristos best + -kratia -cracy

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for aristocracy

• meritocracy
• autocracy
• bureaucracy
• democracy
• hypocrisy
• plutocracy
• theocracy

Kids Definition

aristocracy

noun

ar·​is·​toc·​ra·​cy ˌar-ə-ˈstäk-rə-sē 

plural aristocracies

1

: a government run by a small class of people

2

a

: an upper class that is usually based on birth and is richer and more powerful than the rest of society

b

: persons thought to be better than the rest of the community