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

Khomeini sought to replace the monarchy with a religious state ruled by an Islamic jurist. —Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025

The country has for years been dominated by a conservative establishment comprising the military, the monarchy and influential elites. —Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 25 July 2025

In the past, the British royal family followed the protocol that the direct heirs to the throne do not travel together, in an effort to secure the future of the monarchy in the event of a tragic accident. —Meredith Kile, People.com, 17 July 2025

That is to be given the title by the monarchy itself. —Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025

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