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

Turkey is reportedly negotiating the resale of its unused S-400 air defense systems to a Persian Gulf Arab monarchy, a move that could pave the way for lifting US sanctions and Turkey's re-entry into the F-35 program. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Official histories of the English monarchy also commonly begin their post-Conquest lists with William I, even though the monarchy itself long predates 1066. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 10 July 2026

The monarchy was overthrown in the February Revolution of 1917, and the tsar and his family became prisoners of the revolutionaries. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026

The Declaration of Independence was about severing the chains of a British monarchy and creating a government powered by the people with checks and balances. — Los Angeles Times, 6 July 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