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Dynasty Has Greek Roots
Dynasty has had quite the run in English. For over 600 years it’s been used to refer to a ruling family that maintains power generation after generation. At the time dynasty was first used in English, for example, England was in the midst of rule by the Plantagenet dynasty, whose line of succession provided 14 kings, from Henry II to Richard III. Around the beginning of the 19th century, the word developed the figurative sense “a group or family that dominates a particular field for generations.” Nowadays, this sense of dynasty is often applied to sports franchises that have prolonged runs of successful seasons, divine right not required. Technically, any team is capable of becoming this type of dynasty, including not only Kings and Royals, but also Ducks.
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Sports Dynasties
Dynasty has been in use in English for over 600 years, for most of that time referring to a ruling family that maintains power through succession. Around the beginning of the 19th century, the word developed the figurative sense “a group or family that dominates a particular field for generations.” Nowadays, this sense of dynasty is often applied to a sports franchise which has a prolonged run of successful seasons. The sports use appears to have begun in the early 20th century. An article in The Washington Post in 1905 refers to “John T. Brush’s baseball dynasty,” and by 1912 the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that “if players were free agents at the end of every two years, baseball dynasties such as those built up by the Cubs, Athletics, Detroits and Giants would not be possible.”
Examples of dynasty in a Sentence
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
The titular Texas town hangs in the balance as ranching dynasties unravel, hearts switch allegiances and the overall future of small town culture built on ranching and agriculture comes under scrutiny.
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Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
25 June 2026
Egyptologists add context beyond guidebook facts, translating dynasties, iconography, and political intrigue into something legible on the ground.
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Condé Nast Traveler,
25 June 2026
Instead, Shaq left town, headed west to Los Angeles, took the Magic’s championship dreams with him and helped build a Lakers dynasty.
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Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dynasty
Cite this Entry
“Dynasty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dynasty. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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dynasty
noun
