noun
aristocracy
ar-ih-STOK-ruh-see
noun
1
The hereditary upper class of a society, typically holding titles and inherited privilege.
"The old aristocracy lost much of its land after the revolution."
"She married into the French aristocracy."
2
Government by a privileged ruling class.
"The country shifted from aristocracy to democracy over two centuries."
How to Use Aristocracy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe hereditary noble class, or rule by that class.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
landed aristocracy
the aristocracy of
rise of the aristocracy
Word Forms
aristocracies plural
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The old _____ lost much of its land after the revolution.
Etymology
From Greek aristokratia, "rule of the best," from aristos ("best") + kratos ("power, rule").