dynasty
DIH-nuhs-tee
Dynasty (noun) means a sequence of rulers from the same family, one following another. Example: “The museum shows pottery made under a famous ancient dynasty.”
noun
1
A sequence of rulers from the same family, one following another.
"The museum shows pottery made under a famous ancient dynasty."
"After the last emperor died, a new dynasty took the throne."
"Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands. My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty."
— Zohran Mamdani, The Full Transcript of Zohran Mamdani’s Victory Speech (2025)
"The Ming dynasty ruled China for nearly three centuries."
"Habsburg dynasty; Ottoman dynasty"
2
A family, team, or organisation that maintains power or success across generations.
"That family has run the bakery for so long it is a small dynasty."
"The coach hoped to build a dynasty that would win titles for years."
"The Patriots built a football dynasty in the early 2000s."
How to use dynasty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA line of rulers from one family, or any group that stays dominant for a long stretch of time.
Common pairings
ruling dynasty
sporting dynasty
family dynasty
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Word forms
- Plural
- dynasties
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The museum shows pottery made under a famous ancient _____.
Etymology
From Middle French dynastie, ultimately from Ancient Greek dunasteía, meaning power or dominion.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for dynasty
See all rhymes for dynasty →Frequently asked questions
What does “dynasty” mean?
The word “dynasty” means a sequence of rulers from the same family, one following another. In plain terms, a line of rulers from one family, or any group that stays dominant for a long stretch of time.
How do you pronounce “dynasty”?
“Dynasty” is pronounced DIH-nuhs-tee (/ˈdaɪnəsti/ in IPA).
How do you use “dynasty” in a sentence?
Here is “dynasty” used in a sentence: “The Ming dynasty ruled China for nearly three centuries.”
What part of speech is “dynasty”?
“Dynasty” is a noun.
Where does the word “dynasty” come from?
The word “dynasty” comes from Ancient Greek. From Middle French dynastie, ultimately from Ancient Greek dunasteía, meaning power or dominion.
Is “dynasty” a common word?
“Dynasty” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “dynasty” have?
“Dynasty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sequence of rulers from the same family, one following another.
What is the difference between a 'dynasty' and a 'monarchy'?
A monarchy is a system of government headed by a king or queen. A dynasty is the specific family or line whose members hold that power one after another. A single monarchy can be ruled by several different dynasties over time.
What is the difference between a 'dynasty' and an 'empire'?
An empire is a large group of territories or peoples ruled under one authority. A dynasty is the succession of rulers from one family. An empire may be governed by one dynasty and then pass to another, so the two words describe different things: territory versus family line.
Can a sports team be called a dynasty?
Yes. Beyond royal families, 'dynasty' is widely used for a team, business, or organisation that stays powerful or successful across many years or generations. A team that wins repeatedly over a long period is often called a dynasty.
What is the difference between a 'dynasty' and a 'regime'?
A dynasty is a family whose members rule in succession. A regime is simply the government or authority in power at a given time, whatever its makeup, and it often carries an authoritarian or negative tone. A regime need not be based on family at all.
