theocracy

noun

the·​oc·​ra·​cy thē-ˈä-krə-sē 

plural theocracies

1

: government of a state by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided

2

: a state governed by a theocracy

Examples of theocracy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The protests intensified and grew into calls directly challenging Iran's theocracy. —CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf made the threat after nationwide protests challenging Iran’s theocracy saw protesters flood the streets in the country’s capital and its second-largest city into Sunday morning, crossing the two-week mark. —Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026

The theocracy of the ayatollahs has been exposed in all its fragility. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026

Iran remained isolated from the rest of the world as the nation’s theocracy shut down the internet and cut off phone lines as demonstrators raged against economic hardship and high inflation. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek theokratia, from the- + -kratia -cracy

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for theocracy

• autocracy
• bureaucracy
• democracy
• hypocrisy
• plutocracy
• aristocracy
• meritocracy

Kids Definition

theocracy

noun

the·​oc·​ra·​cy thē-ˈäk-rə-sē 

plural theocracies

1

: government of a country by officials believed to have divine guidance

2

: a country governed by a theocracy