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

Previously, the British monarchy had operated under male-preference primogeniture, meaning that female siblings fell behind their male siblings in the line of succession, regardless of birth order. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026

Back in London, father-in-law King Charles III, who is also undergoing cancer treatment, was carrying out one of the monarchy's grandest ceremonial duties on Wednesday, delivering a landmark speech for the formal opening of a new session of the British Parliament. —Elena Giuliano, CBS News, 13 May 2026

The doors to the Commons chamber were slammed in Black Rod’s face to symbolize the chamber’s independence from the monarchy, and they aren’t opened until Black Rod strikes the doors three times. —Pan Pylas, Fortune, 13 May 2026

The doors to the Commons chamber were slammed in Black Rod’s face to symbolize the chamber’s independence from the monarchy, and they aren’t opened until Black Rod strikes the doors three times. —ABC News, 12 May 2026

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