noun
monarchy
MO-nuh-kee
noun
1
A system of government headed by a king, queen, or other hereditary ruler.
"The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy."
"Many European monarchies today have largely symbolic power."
2
A country or territory ruled by a monarch.
"Spain remained a monarchy even after decades of dictatorship."
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.
Common pairings
constitutional monarchy
absolute monarchy
abolish the monarchy
Word Forms
monarchies plural
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The United Kingdom is a constitutional _____.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek monarkhía, built from mónos ("only") and arkhḗ ("rule, authority").