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.

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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

When the nation’s rising oligarchy met a budding authoritarian, the Republican Party embraced the opportunity to abandon democracy with surprising ease. —Heather Cox Richardson, The New Republic, 26 Sep. 2023

Among the most successful movements against oligarchy were the Populists and Progressives, who used the document to treat the disabling economy of the Gilded Age. —Corey Robin, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2023

The link between yachts and the Russian oligarchy, specifically in relation to the war in Ukraine, came to a head when, in 2022, Western countries sanctioned Russian billionaires deemed close to the Kremlin and seized their yachts. —Rachel Shin, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2023

If overthrowing oligarchy required racial equality in the economy, the oligarchs could best maintain their position by hiving off civil rights from economic issues. —Corey Robin, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2023

The words were chilling, describing a type of criminality and treachery formerly associated with overseas oligarchies and banana republics. —Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2023

This post-Soviet oligarchy also occurred in Ukraine, but the war is changing that. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2023

By revising the Mexican tradition of mixing state capitalism and oligarchy, López Obrador and his party are emulating the PRI’s vision of governance as a system for distributing the spoils. —Denise Dresser, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2022

Crassus kept his place in this three-man oligarchy called the ‘Three Headed Monster’ by continuing to use his financial power to balance the influence of his more acclaimed military partners. —Peter Stothard, Time, 21 Dec. 2022

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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

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