What does "democracy" mean?

1. (system of government) a way of ruling a country where everyone has a say, usually by voting for people to represent them. 2. (a democratic country) a specific country that uses a democratic system. 3. (fairness and equality) the belief that everyone in a group should be treated equally and have the same rights.

democracy

US //dɪˈmɑkɹəsi// UK //dɪmˈɒkɹəsi// democ·ra·cy

1 system of government (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a way of ruling a country where everyone has a say, usually by voting for people to represent them.

a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

Example

In a healthy democracy, every citizen should have the right to vote in free elections.

Example

The transition from an authoritarian regime to a stable democracy requires the establishment of robust legal institutions and a free press.
- self government
- republic
- dictatorship
- autocracy
- tyranny
2 a democratic country (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a specific country that uses a democratic system.

a state or nation governed under the principles of democracy.

Example

Many young democracies in the region are still developing their legal systems.

Example

The summit brought together leaders from several Western democracies to discuss international trade and security agreements.
- nation
- state

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3 fairness and equality (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the belief that everyone in a group should be treated equally and have the same rights.

the practice or spirit of social equality and the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions.

Example

The manager encouraged democracy in the office by letting everyone help make decisions.

Example

The movement was less about specific legislation and more about fostering a sense of grassroots democracy within the local community.
- elitism
- inequality

Origin

From Middle French democratie (French démocratie), from Medieval Latin dēmocratia, from Ancient Greek δημοκρᾰτῐ́ᾱ (dēmokrătĭ́ā). By surface analysis, demo- (“people”) + -cracy (“rule”).