Main Entry:

mon·arch

Pronunciation:

\ˈmä-nərk, -ˌnärk\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Late Latin monarcha, from Greek monarchos, from mon- + -archos -arch

Date:

15th century

1: a person who reigns over a kingdom or empire: as a: a sovereign ruler b: a constitutional king or queen 2: one that holds preeminent position or power3: monarch butterfly

— mo·nar·chal \mə-ˈnär-kəl, mä-\ or mo·nar·chi·al \-kē-əl\ adjective