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

Those who sacrifice their own freedom on the altar of monarchy also sacrifice that of future generations. —Matthew Redmond, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025

For the heir to the throne and his wife, Kate Middleton, though, change doesn’t mean upheaval but rather modernization — a monarchy more emotionally attuned and grounded in everyday life. —Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025

And while the powerful Gulf monarchy has watched its main rival Iran and its proxies weakened during the past two year, the threat from Yemen's Houthis has been deeply destabilizing. —Nbc News, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025

But the monarchy under King Charles is doing what monarchy does – enduring, calmly above the fray. —Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 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