heptarchy

noun

hep·​tar·​chy ˈhep-ˌtär-kē How to pronounce heptarchy (audio)
: a hypothetical confederacy of seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of the seventh and eighth centuries

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The United States is made up of fifty states instead of a heptarchy of feuding kings. —Matt Ford, The New Republic, 19 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heptarchy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heptarchy was in 1576

Dictionary Entries Near heptarchy

heptarchal

heptarchy

heptastich

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Heptarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heptarchy. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

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