republic
rih-PUHB-lihk
Republic (noun) means a country governed by elected representatives and a head of state who is not a monarch. Example: “Citizens of the republic vote every few years to choose their president.”
noun
1
A country governed by elected representatives and a head of state who is not a monarch.
"Citizens of the republic vote every few years to choose their president."
"France became a republic after the revolution abolished the monarchy."
"The new constitution established the nation as a democratic republic."
2
One of the constituent states within a larger federation, such as the former Soviet Union or Yugoslavia.
"The small mountain republic joined the federation and kept its own parliament."
"Each Soviet republic had its own local government."
"Croatia was once a republic within Yugoslavia."
How to use republic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA country run by elected leaders rather than a king or queen.
Common pairings
a democratic republic
the Roman Republic
declare a republic
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like republic.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- republics
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Citizens of the _____ vote every few years to choose their president.
Etymology
From Latin res publica, literally "the public thing," via Middle French republique.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for republic
See all rhymes for republic →Frequently asked questions
What does “republic” mean?
The word “republic” means a country governed by elected representatives and a head of state who is not a monarch. In plain terms, a country run by elected leaders rather than a king or queen.
How do you pronounce “republic”?
“Republic” is pronounced rih-PUHB-lihk (/ɹɪˈpʌb.lɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “republic” in a sentence?
Here is “republic” used in a sentence: “France became a republic after the revolution abolished the monarchy.”
What part of speech is “republic”?
“Republic” is a noun.
Where does the word “republic” come from?
The word “republic” comes from Latin. From Latin res publica, literally "the public thing," via Middle French republique.
Is “republic” a common word?
“Republic” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “republic” have?
“Republic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a country governed by elected representatives and a head of state who is not a monarch.
What is the difference between a republic and a democracy?
The terms overlap but describe different things. A republic is a state with no monarch, led by an elected or appointed head of state rather than a king or queen. A democracy is a system where power rests with the people through voting. A country can be both, but the words emphasise different features.
What is the difference between a republic and a monarchy?
The key difference is the head of state. In a republic, the head of state is elected or appointed, usually a president, and holds office for a set term. In a monarchy, the head of state is a king or queen who inherits the position and usually keeps it for life.
What is an example of a republic?
The United States, France, India, Germany, and Ireland are all republics, each led by a president rather than a monarch. They vary widely in structure — some presidents hold real power, others are largely ceremonial — but none has a king or queen as head of state, which is what defines a republic.
What are the types of republic?
Common types include presidential republics, where an elected president leads the government, and parliamentary republics, where a prime minister governs and the president is mostly ceremonial. Others are federal republics, made up of self-governing states, or unitary ones ruled centrally. The shared feature is an elected head of state, not a monarch.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include republic:
