Dictionary

oligarchy

noun ol·i·gar·chy \ˈä-lə-ˌgär-kē, ˈō-\

: a country, business, etc., that is controlled by a small group of people

: the people that control a country, business, etc.

: government or control by a small group of people

plural ol·i·gar·chies

Full Definition of OLIGARCHY

1
:  government by the few
2
:  a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes; also :  a group exercising such control
3
:  an organization under oligarchic control
ADVERTISEMENT

First Known Use of OLIGARCHY

1542

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with OLIGARCHY

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: oligidicPrevious Word in the Dictionary: oligarchicAll Words Near: oligarchy
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears