oligarchy

noun

ol·​i·​gar·​chy ˈä-lə-ˌgär-kē  ˈō- 

plural oligarchies

1

: government by the few

The corporation is ruled by oligarchy.

2

: a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes

a military oligarchy was established in the country

also : a group exercising such control

An oligarchy ruled the nation.

3

: an organization under oligarchic control

That country is an oligarchy.

Did you know?

Oligarchy and Other Words for Rulers

Oligarchy is one of numerous English words for a type of rule or government. Some of these words, such as plutocracy, have an exceedingly similar meaning (both may be used to refer to rule by an economic elite, but oligarchy often has the additional connotation of corruption). Besides these two, we have meritocracy “a system in which the talented are chosen and moved ahead on the basis of their achievement,” monarchy “a form of government in which a country is ruled by a king or queen,” ochlocracy “government by the mob," and gerontocracy “rule by elders,” among many others.

Examples of oligarchy in a Sentence

Their nation is an oligarchy.

An oligarchy rules their nation.

The corporation is ruled by oligarchy.

Recent Examples on the Web

For the Legislature and DeSantis to strip away basic heat protections in the face of vehement public opposition — more than 90 organizations pleaded for HB 433 to be vetoed — demonstrates yet again how Florida has become less of a democracy and more of an oligarchy. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024

The Russian term for their oligarchy is semibankirshchina—the reign of the seven bankers. —Simon Shuster, TIME, 21 Nov. 2024

Read: The unique danger of a Trumpist oligarchy A Harris administration would, of course, approach Musk differently. —Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

What seems far more likely is that a second Trump Presidency would lead to unprecedented theft from public programs like Social Security and Medicare, the full ascendancy of tech and Wall Street oligarchies, and a further dissolution of the public’s faith in the government. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, Late Latin & Greek; Middle French oligarchie, borrowed from Late Latin oligarchia, borrowed from Greek oligarchía, from olig- olig- + -archia -archy

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

oligarchy

noun

oli·​gar·​chy

ˈäl-ə-ˌgär-kē,

ˈō-lə-

plural oligarchies

1

: government by the few

2

: a government in which a small group exercises control

also : a group exercising such control

3

: an organization controlled by a small group