oligarchy

noun

ol·​i·​gar·​chy ˈä-lə-ˌgär-kē  ˈō- 

plural oligarchies

1

: government by the few

The corporation is ruled by oligarchy.

2

: a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes

a military oligarchy was established in the country

also : a group exercising such control

An oligarchy ruled the nation.

3

: an organization under oligarchic control

That country is an oligarchy.

Did you know?

Oligarchy and Other Words for Rulers

Oligarchy is one of numerous English words for a type of rule or government. Some of these words, such as plutocracy, have an exceedingly similar meaning (both may be used to refer to rule by an economic elite, but oligarchy often has the additional connotation of corruption). Besides these two, we have meritocracy “a system in which the talented are chosen and moved ahead on the basis of their achievement,” monarchy “a form of government in which a country is ruled by a king or queen,” ochlocracy “government by the mob," and gerontocracy “rule by elders,” among many others.

Examples of oligarchy in a Sentence

Their nation is an oligarchy.

An oligarchy rules their nation.

The corporation is ruled by oligarchy.

Recent Examples on the Web

More than 100 protesters — some local, many from elsewhere on Long Island — rallied for two hours against ice, oligarchy, and U.S. support for Israel. —Stephanie Krikorian, Curbed, 23 June 2025

The Haves and Have-Yachts by Evan Osnos (Scribner: $30) A collection of essays exploring American oligarchy and the culture of excess. … Paperback fiction 1. —The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025

Something long and meandering like this: For the next four years, the United States will be an unpredictable, unsteady global superpower run by a fascist oligarchy, in which the people’s representatives cater to a madman’s whim. —Eli Grober, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025

The film is a dead-on skewering of the high-on-their-own supply megalomania that now afflicts so many members of the techno oligarchy, who unfortunately also control the levers of the world. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 31 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, Late Latin & Greek; Middle French oligarchie, borrowed from Late Latin oligarchia, borrowed from Greek oligarchía, from olig- olig- + -archia -archy

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oligarchy

• hierarchy
• matriarchy
• patriarchy
• arche
• sparky
• autarky
• menarche

Kids Definition

oligarchy

noun

oli·​gar·​chy

ˈäl-ə-ˌgär-kē,

ˈō-lə-

plural oligarchies

1

: government by the few

2

: a government in which a small group exercises control

also : a group exercising such control

3

: an organization controlled by a small group