monarchy

noun

mon·​ar·​chy ˈmä-nər-kē 

also -ˌnär-

plural monarchies

1

: undivided rule or absolute sovereignty by a single person

Saudi Arabia is governed by a monarchy.

2

: a nation or state having a monarchical government

Britain is a monarchy.

3

: a government having a hereditary chief of state with life tenure and powers varying from nominal to absolute

The country's hereditary monarchy survived for centuries.

Examples of monarchy in a Sentence

the French monarchy of the 18th century

Recent Examples on the Web

The small Persian Gulf island nation is led by a Sunni Muslim monarchy but, like Iran, has a majority Shiite population. —Adam Schreck, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026

Bahrain is led by a Sunni Muslim monarchy but, like Iran, has a majority Shiite population. —Adam Schreck, Fortune, 9 May 2026

Bahrain is led by a Sunni Muslim monarchy but, like Iran, its population is majority Shiite. —ABC News, 9 May 2026

Such is the trust and affection that Attenborough enjoys in his native land that, were the monarchy to be abolished tomorrow and a President of the United Kingdom required in a rush, Attenborough would be the prime candidate. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing monarchy

• constitutional monarchy

Kids Definition

monarchy

noun

mon·​ar·​chy ˈmän-ər-kē 

plural monarchies

1

: total rule by one person

2

: a nation or country ruled by a monarch

3

: a form of government having a chief of state who inherits the position, rules for life, and holds powers varying from very limited to total