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

Washington at one point also pushed for the overthrow of Iran’s theocracy. —Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

The aims have ranged from weakening Iran's nuclear program, missile program and support for armed proxies to enabling the Iranian people to overthrow the theocracy. —Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026

This is ultimately a war between a democracy’s impatience and a theocracy’s ruthless endurance. —Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026

After a referendum, Iran became a constitutional republic, with universal suffrage, a president and a parliament, but one wrapped in a theocracy; ultimate authority rests with the supreme leader. —The Week Uk, TheWeek, 22 Mar. 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