democracy

The word “democracy” means a system of government in which power belongs to the people, exercised directly or through elected representatives. In plain terms, government where the people hold the power, usually through voting.

“Democracy” is pronounced dih-MOK-ruh-see (/dɪˈmɑ.kɹə.si/ in IPA).

Here is “democracy” used in a sentence: “The country transitioned to democracy after decades of military rule.”

Words with a similar meaning to “democracy” include democratism.

“Democracy” is a noun.

The word “democracy” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek demokratia, from demos ("the people") plus -kratia ("rule, power") — literally "rule by the people".

“Democracy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Democracy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a system of government in which power belongs to the people, exercised directly or through elected representatives.

A democracy is any system where power rests with the people. A republic is a specific kind, where citizens elect representatives and there is no monarch, with power often limited by a constitution. Most modern democracies are republics, but not all: countries like the UK are democracies with a monarch as head of state.

The two broad forms are direct democracy, where people vote on decisions themselves, as in referendums, and representative democracy, where they elect officials to decide on their behalf. Most nations use representative systems, sometimes blending in direct elements. Terms like liberal or parliamentary democracy describe further variations in how power is structured.

Democracy gives ordinary people a say in how they are governed, holding leaders accountable through regular elections. It protects freedoms, allows peaceful changes of power, and lets citizens shape laws that affect their lives. By spreading power among the people rather than concentrating it, it guards against tyranny and abuse of authority.

The opposite is a system where power is held by a few or by one, rather than the people. Dictatorship, autocracy, tyranny, and authoritarian rule are all opposites of democracy. In these systems, citizens have little or no genuine voice in choosing their leaders or shaping the laws they live under.