monarch

noun

mon·​arch ˈmä-nərk 

-ˌnärk

1

: a person who reigns over a kingdom or empire: such as

a

: a sovereign ruler

b

: a constitutional (see constitutional entry 1 sense 3) king or queen

2

: one that holds preeminent position or power

cotton, monarch of the textile world

Wall Street Journal

3

: monarch butterfly

monarchal

mə-ˈnär-kəl 

mä-

adjective

or monarchial

mə-ˈnär-kē-əl 

mä-

Synonyms

• autocrat
• potentate
• ruler
• sovereign
• sovran

Example Sentences

a new history of French monarchs

the ruling monarch of Britain at that time was Queen Elizabeth I

Recent Examples on the Web

While the British monarch is staid and consistent, her younger sister was known as a rebellious royal. Sarah Madaus, Town & Country, 9 Nov. 2022

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, died September 8 at the age of 96. Cnn Editorial Research, CNN, 8 Nov. 2022

At the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in New York City in September, Earthshot CEO Hannah Jones told PEOPLE that the future monarch is most energized about seeing the finalists succeed. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 4 Nov. 2022

Everyone says content is king, but the secret monarch of the content economy is form—constraints, rules, minima and maxima. WIRED, 3 Nov. 2022

The monarch was a widely beloved figure, famous for possessing an unwavering sense of duty to her role that wasn't always shared by her 15 prime ministers or her fellow royal family members. Clark Collis, EW.com, 18 Oct. 2022

Many want to visit the tomb of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Danica Kirka, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2022

Queen Elizabeth II's death certificate confirms Britain's longest reigning monarch died of old age. Elise Brisco, USA TODAY, 29 Sep. 2022

Truss took office just two days before the queen died on Sept. 8, and the first days of her term have been spent attending memorial services and the funeral of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Jill Lawless, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Sep. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

Late Latin monarcha, from Greek monarchos, from mon- + -archos -arch

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing monarch

• monarch butterfly

• monarch butterfly

Kids Definition

monarch

noun

mon·​arch ˈmän-ərk 

-ˌärk

1

: a person who reigns over a kingdom or empire: as

a

: a ruler who has total power

absolute monarch

b

: someone who acts primarily as chief of state and who has only limited powers

constitutional monarch

2

: someone or something like a monarch

the oak is the monarch of the forest

3

: monarch butterfly

monarchal

mə-ˈnär-kəl 

mä-

adjective

or monarchial

-kē-əl