monarchy

noun

mon·​ar·​chy ˈmä-nər-kē 

 also  -ˌnär-

plural monarchies

1

: undivided rule or absolute sovereignty by a single person

Saudi Arabia is governed by a monarchy.

2

: a nation or state having a monarchical government

Britain is a monarchy.

3

: a government having a hereditary chief of state with life tenure and powers varying from nominal to absolute

The country's hereditary monarchy survived for centuries.

Examples of monarchy in a Sentence

the French monarchy of the 18th century

Recent Examples on the Web

Only the second time a member of the British monarchy has married an American, the union was met with manic fanfare on both sides of the pond. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 20 May 2025

The Duke of Edinburgh — as Prince Edward is titled, taking on his father Prince Philip's former styling — is a working member of the royal family and often takes on duties on behalf of the monarchy. —Stephanie Petit, People.com, 18 May 2025

After declaring independence from the British monarchy, the Founding Fathers wanted to eschew anything that suggested royalty. —Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025

In the 17th and 18th centuries, European Catholic monarchies used their influence over loyal cardinals to shape the outcome, meaning that votes sometimes dragged on for months. —Emma Bubola, New York Times, 8 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing monarchy

• constitutional monarchy

Kids Definition

monarchy

noun

mon·​ar·​chy ˈmän-ər-kē 

plural monarchies

1

: total rule by one person

2

: a nation or country ruled by a monarch

3

: a form of government having a chief of state who inherits the position, rules for life, and holds powers varying from very limited to total