aristocracy

noun

ar·​is·​toc·​ra·​cy ˌa-rə-ˈstä-krə-sē 

ˌer-ə-

plural aristocracies

1

: government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class

2

a

: a government in which power is vested (see vest entry 2 sense 1a) in a minority consisting of those believed to be best qualified

b

: a state with such a government

3

: a governing body or upper class usually made up of a hereditary nobility

a member of the British aristocracy

4

: a class or group of people believed to be superior (as in rank, wealth, or intellect)

an intellectual aristocracy

Synonyms

• nobility
• gentry
• elite

Examples of aristocracy in a Sentence

a member of the aristocracy

at one time in China only the aristocracy could own land

Recent Examples on the Web

Neither have confirmed the collaboration at the time of going to print, but fans are already buzzing about the pairing of K-pop royalty and British pop aristocracy. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025

The entire film plays out over one long party at an English estate, where the stuffy, traditional English aristocracy collide with Hedda’s bohemian artist friends. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025

Lots of Guinness family members lived in England and had titles in British aristocracy, and some even became Protestant clergymen. —Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 25 Sep. 2025

Like Macbeth, King Henry met his tragic end when a civil war broke out and the aristocracy turned against him. —Marlene L. Daut september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French aristocratie, from Late Latin aristocratia, from Greek aristokratia, from aristos best + -kratia -cracy

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for aristocracy

• meritocracy
• autocracy
• bureaucracy
• democracy
• hypocrisy
• plutocracy
• theocracy

Kids Definition

aristocracy

noun

ar·​is·​toc·​ra·​cy ˌar-ə-ˈstäk-rə-sē 

plural aristocracies

1

: a government run by a small class of people

2

a

: an upper class that is usually based on birth and is richer and more powerful than the rest of society

b

: persons thought to be better than the rest of the community