democracy
n. C / Un. a system of government where the people choose their leaders by voting. It also means a country that uses this system.
n. a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. It can also refer to a state governed under such a system.
We live in a democracy where everyone can vote.
The transition to a democracy allowed citizens to finally elect their own local officials after years of military rule.
While ancient Athens is often celebrated as the birthplace of democracy, its system excluded women, enslaved people, and foreigners from participating in the political process.
From Middle French democratie (French démocratie), from Medieval Latin dēmocratia, from Ancient Greek δημοκρᾰτῐ́ᾱ (dēmokrătĭ́ā). By surface analysis, demo- (“people”) + -cracy (“rule”).
Uncountable when referring to the abstract concept of rule by the people; countable when referring to a specific nation or state.