democracy
dih-MOK-ruh-see
Democracy (noun) means a system of government in which power belongs to the people, exercised directly or through elected representatives. Example: “The country transitioned to democracy after decades of military rule.”
noun
1
A system of government in which power belongs to the people, exercised directly or through elected representatives.
"The country transitioned to democracy after decades of military rule."
"Free elections are a cornerstone of democracy."
"In a democracy, citizens can vote out leaders who are not doing their job well."
2
A country governed under such a system.
"The report ranked the nation among the world's strongest democracies."
"Several young democracies in the region are still building trust in their institutions."
"Our teacher asked us to name three democracies on the map."
How to use democracy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGovernment where the people hold the power, usually through voting.
Common pairings
a thriving democracy
defend democracy
democratic elections
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Word forms
- Plural
- democracies
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The country transitioned to _____ after decades of military rule.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek demokratia, from demos ("the people") plus -kratia ("rule, power") — literally "rule by the people".
Synonyms
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self-government
representative government
popular government
republic
self-rule
commonwealth
democratism
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for democracy
See all rhymes for democracy →Frequently asked questions
What does “democracy” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “democracy”?
“Democracy” is pronounced dih-MOK-ruh-see (/dɪˈmɑ.kɹə.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “democracy” in a sentence?
Here is “democracy” used in a sentence: “The country transitioned to democracy after decades of military rule.”
What is another word for “democracy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “democracy” include democratism.
What part of speech is “democracy”?
“Democracy” is a noun.
Where does the word “democracy” come from?
The word “democracy” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek demokratia, from demos ("the people") plus -kratia ("rule, power") — literally "rule by the people".
Is “democracy” a common word?
“Democracy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “democracy” have?
“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.
What is the difference between democracy and a republic?
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.
What are the types of democracy?
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.
Why is democracy important?
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.
What is the opposite of democracy?
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.
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