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
The series’ impressively brutal action sequences are the fun stuff, but questions about the validity of a monarchy and the intrusions of the outside world on an insular culture are what stick with you.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025
The guards, who are part of the Household Division whose principal role is the protection of the monarchy, performed classic Black Sabbath's hit 'Paranoid' during the changing of the guard outside Buckingham Palace Wednesday.
—Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
The succession to the throne is pivotal to the future of the monarchy, and the deep rift in the royal family underlines its importance.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2025
Generals have seized power in 20 coups since 1932, often toppling democratic governments, according to the CIA World Factbook, and the military portrays itself as the ultimate defender of the monarchy.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for monarchy
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Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025
The guards, who are part of the Household Division whose principal role is the protection of the monarchy, performed classic Black Sabbath's hit 'Paranoid' during the changing of the guard outside Buckingham Palace Wednesday.
—Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
The succession to the throne is pivotal to the future of the monarchy, and the deep rift in the royal family underlines its importance.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2025
Generals have seized power in 20 coups since 1932, often toppling democratic governments, according to the CIA World Factbook, and the military portrays itself as the ultimate defender of the monarchy.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 25 July 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 6 Aug. 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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