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

Despite the turbulence of the past, relations between the Vatican and the British monarchy are today marked by warmth and mutual respect. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025

These ranged from the aristocratic elite who dominated the military and bureaucracy and yearned for a return to monarchy, to communists who sought proletarian rule, to the National Socialists who wanted to establish a right-wing dictatorship. —Time, 23 Oct. 2025

Still, Boston keeps vestiges of its life under a monarchy. —Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025

Media, politicians and the public widely viewed it as catastrophic for both his personal reputation and the monarchy’s image. —Ashley Hume , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 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