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

The monarchy tends to treat royal residences as working assets, sometimes even leased to staff, rather than as displays of opulence. —Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026

The monarchies of Spain and Monaco are governed by different systems, and their royal families go by different stylings. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026

This is a gutting, decade-spanning, and human account of how the elimination of the monarchy in Iran cleared room for the authoritarian conditions under which Iranians continue to struggle today, as well as the ongoing price of resistance. —Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 2 June 2026

Take our once respected monarchy, for instance, which was instigated through a popular referendum as part of national independence in 1905. —Ola Morris Innset, The Dial, 2 June 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