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

• elite
• gentility
• gentlefolk
• gentlefolks
• gentry
• nobility
• patriciate
• quality
• upper class
• upper crust

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

The result is Black dandyism by way of aristocracy—and the actor’s princess-like pose only adds to the effect. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 6 May 2025

Long before mass production, skilled artisans crafted bespoke carriage bodies for the aristocracy and wealthy merchants. —Alex Levin, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

From the great aristocracy, such as the Duke of Alba, to the best young artists, such as Sandra Rojo Picón, Madrid Chic takes readers on a journey through the city’s most captivating places, immersing them in its vibrant spirit. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

But these structures still assume that AI’s future should be in the hands of an aristocracy of business and technical elites. —Nathan Schneider, The Conversation, 21 May 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