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

Hovering in the background are the schemes and interests of a constellation of greater powers, including Gulf monarchies such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, as well as Turkey and Egypt. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2026

Since the Free Officers overthrew the monarchy in 1952, Egypt’s political order has remained, in practice, under military rule. — Abdelrahman Elgendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Almost every ceremonial object or ornament of the medieval papal monarchy has disappeared or lost its original purpose. — Joëlle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

The separation of the church started with the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing monarchy

• absolute 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