English Reference

Word

dynastic

Phoneticsdy·nas·tic

US/daɪˈnæstɪk/

UK/dɪnˈɑːstɪk/

Definition

adj. relating to a family that has held power for many generations. You use this to describe things like royal families, powerful business groups, or political families.

adj. relating to a family that has held power or influence over several generations. Often used to describe political, economic, or social structures maintained through hereditary lines.

Examples

“The country has a long history of dynastic rule.”

“The merger was seen as a way to end the dynastic struggle for control of the family business.”

“Historians often debate whether the transition from dynastic monarchy to a modern republic was a sudden revolution or a gradual erosion of traditional power structures.”

Examples

simple

“The country has a long history of dynastic rule.”

contextual

“The merger was seen as a way to end the dynastic struggle for control of the family business.”

complex

“Historians often debate whether the transition from dynastic monarchy to a modern republic was a sudden revolution or a gradual erosion of traditional power structures.”

Real-World Examples

“In the “ Mahabharata ,” an epic of dynastic war, the prince Arjuna visits a hermitage located on Mount Kailash .”
The Conversation · 31 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Ancient Greek δυναστικός (dunastikós). By surface analysis, dynasty + -ic.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

dynasticAdjectivedynastyNoun

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference