monarch

noun

mon·​arch ˈmä-nərk 

-ˌnärk

1

: a person who reigns over a kingdom or empire: such as

a

: a sovereign ruler

b

: a constitutional (see constitutional entry 1 sense 3) king or queen

2

: one that holds preeminent position or power

cotton, monarch of the textile world

—Wall Street Journal

3

: monarch butterfly

monarchal

mə-ˈnär-kəl 

mä-

adjective

or monarchial

mə-ˈnär-kē-əl 

mä-

Synonyms

• autocrat
• potentate
• ruler
• sovereign
• sovran

Examples of monarch in a Sentence

a new history of French monarchs

the ruling monarch of Britain at that time was Queen Elizabeth I

Recent Examples on the Web

The monarch's Royal Ascot outings continue a busy week of royal events. —Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 20 June 2024

Members of the British royal family attend the social event of the summer season regularly, with the monarch making an appearance nearly each year. —Julia Teti, WWD, 20 June 2024

Henry Nicholls—Getty Images Meanwhile, King Charles III—who enjoys two birthdays as a ruling monarch—stood in salute of the marching army members, who were in their full regalia complete with the iconic King's Guards bearskin hats. —Olivia-Anne Cleary, TIME, 15 June 2024

Trooping the Colour, the annual ceremonial parade held every June that honors the birthday of the reigning monarch and attracts millions of viewers from all around the world. —Vogue, 15 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin monarcha, from Greek monarchos, from mon- + -archos -arch

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing monarch

• monarch butterfly

Kids Definition

monarch

noun

mon·​arch ˈmän-ərk 

-ˌärk

1

: a person who reigns over a kingdom or empire: as

a

: a ruler who has total power

absolute monarch

b

: someone who acts primarily as chief of state and who has only limited powers

constitutional monarch

2

: someone or something like a monarch

the oak is the monarch of the forest

3

: monarch butterfly

monarchal

mə-ˈnär-kəl 

mä-

adjective

or monarchial

-kē-əl