monarchy — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A government in which sovereignty is embodied within a single, today usually hereditary head of state (whether as a figurehead or as a powerful ruler).

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   An absolute monarchy is a monarchy where the monarch is legally the ultimate authority in all temporal matters.

   More examples (2)

   A constitutional monarchy is a monarchy in which the monarch's power is legally constrained, ranging from where minor concessions have been made to appease certain factions to where the monarch is a figurehead with all real power in the hands of a legislative body.

   He that with ſhepheards and a litle ſpoyle, Durſt in diſdaine of wrong and tyrannie, Defend his freedome gainſt a Monarchie: What will he doe ſupported by a king?

2. The territory ruled over by a monarch; a kingdom.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   What scourge for perjury / Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence?

3. A form of government where sovereignty is embodied by a single ruler in a state and his high aristocracy representing their separate divided lands within the state and their low aristocracy representing their separate divided fiefs.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

4. States based on a system of governance headed by a king or a queen.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. an autocracy governed by a monarch who usually inherits the authority

   Broader terms

   autocracyautarchy