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
Most of the territory felt a strong desire to maintain close connection to the monarchy and British Empire, but otherwise the colonies of British North America were far apart from one another geographically and psychologically.
—
Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
This is doing real damage to the monarchy.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 28 Oct. 2025
The royal family are further cutting ties with Andrew to protect the monarchy.
—Janelle Ash , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Despite the turbulence of the past, relations between the Vatican and the British monarchy are today marked by warmth and mutual respect.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for monarchy
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Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
This is doing real damage to the monarchy.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 28 Oct. 2025
The royal family are further cutting ties with Andrew to protect the monarchy.
—Janelle Ash , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Despite the turbulence of the past, relations between the Vatican and the British monarchy are today marked by warmth and mutual respect.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for monarchy
Cite this Entry
“Monarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monarchy. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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