monarchy
Monarchy (noun) means a system of government headed by a king, queen, or other hereditary ruler. Example: “The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy.”
How to use monarchy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA country or system ruled by a king or queen, or the institution of hereditary rule itself.
Word forms
monarchies plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The United Kingdom is a constitutional _____.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek monarkhía, built from mónos ("only") and arkhḗ ("rule, authority").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for monarchy
See all rhymes for monarchy →Frequently asked questions
What does “monarchy” mean?
The word “monarchy” means a system of government headed by a king, queen, or other hereditary ruler. In plain terms, a country or system ruled by a king or queen, or the institution of hereditary rule itself.
How do you pronounce “monarchy”?
“Monarchy” is pronounced MO-nuh-kee (/ˈmɑnɚki/ in IPA).
How do you use “monarchy” in a sentence?
Here is “monarchy” used in a sentence: “The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy.”
What is another word for “monarchy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “monarchy” include kingdom.
What part of speech is “monarchy”?
“Monarchy” is a noun.
Where does the word “monarchy” come from?
The word “monarchy” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek monarkhía, built from mónos ("only") and arkhḗ ("rule, authority").
Is “monarchy” a common word?
“Monarchy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “monarchy” have?
“Monarchy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a system of government headed by a king, queen, or other hereditary ruler.
What is the difference between a monarchy and a republic?
A monarchy is headed by a king, queen, or other hereditary ruler, while a republic is led by officials who are elected rather than inheriting their position. Power in a monarchy typically passes down through a royal family line.
What is the difference between an absolute monarchy and a constitutional monarchy?
In an absolute monarchy, the ruler holds near-total governing power, while in a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's authority is limited by a constitution and shared with elected bodies like a parliament. Many modern monarchies operate under the constitutional model.
Can monarchy refer to a country rather than just a system of government?
Yes, monarchy can also refer to the country or territory itself that is ruled by a monarch, not just the governing system. For example, a nation with a king or queen may itself be called a monarchy.