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
Critics say that’s due to the fact that the Sussexes dished dirt about the British monarchy and about Harry’s relatives.
—
Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
Joan Collins, a longtime supporter of the British monarchy, will play Wallis Simpson in an upcoming biopic.
Collins, 91, will take on the role of Simpson, an American divorcee who King Edward VIII chose over the monarchy, abdicating the throne in 1936 and ultimately marrying her the next year.
—Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025
The once-fringe writer has long argued for an American monarchy.
—Meg Bernhard Bruce Schoenfeld David Marchese Kwame Anthony Appiah Eric Kim Alex C. Park Helen Holmes John Hodgman, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
During that trial in 2023, Harry became the first senior member of the royal family to testify in court since the late 19th century, putting him at odds with the monarchy’s desire to keep its problems out of view.
—Brian Melley and Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
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Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
Joan Collins, a longtime supporter of the British monarchy, will play Wallis Simpson in an upcoming biopic.
Collins, 91, will take on the role of Simpson, an American divorcee who King Edward VIII chose over the monarchy, abdicating the throne in 1936 and ultimately marrying her the next year.
—Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025
The once-fringe writer has long argued for an American monarchy.
—Meg Bernhard Bruce Schoenfeld David Marchese Kwame Anthony Appiah Eric Kim Alex C. Park Helen Holmes John Hodgman, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
During that trial in 2023, Harry became the first senior member of the royal family to testify in court since the late 19th century, putting him at odds with the monarchy’s desire to keep its problems out of view.
—Brian Melley and Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for monarchy
Articles Related to monarchy
Dictionary Entries Near monarchy
Cite this Entry
“Monarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monarchy. Accessed 9 Feb. 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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