Main Entry:

mon·ar·chy

Pronunciation:

\ˈmä-nər-kē also -ˌnär-\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural mon·ar·chies

Date:

14th century

1 : undivided rule or absolute sovereignty by a single person 2 : a nation or state having a monarchical government 3 : a government having a hereditary chief of state with life tenure and powers varying from nominal to absolute