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

Through it all, Kate and William balanced expanding royal duties with school runs and family life, even as illness still shadows the monarchy. —Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025

In Pilkington’s conjuring, liberalism was a potent ideology that arose against monarchy and aristocracy and sought to rationalize social and political relationships. —Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

In fact, ever since he was diagnosed, there has been a great deal of concern about what this means for the future of the monarchy. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 Dec. 2025

The original Free Officers ousted King Farouk and went on to abolish the monarchy and end British influence in Egypt. —Jonathan Powell, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 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