# monarchy

/ˈmɑnɑɹki/ (US) · /mˈɒnəki/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/monarchy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. system of government

noun · CEFR B2

a system where a country is ruled by a king or queen, often for their whole life.

For teachers: a form of government in which sovereignty is embodied in a single individual, typically a hereditary head of state.

- Many people still support the monarchy because of its long history and tradition.
- The transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one required significant legal reforms to limit the sovereign's power.

### 2. the royal family

noun · CEFR B2

the king or queen and their family as a group.

For teachers: the monarch and the royal family collectively as a social or political institution.

- The monarchy remains a very popular symbol of national identity in the UK.
- Public opinion regarding the monarchy often fluctuates depending on the conduct of individual members of the royal family.

### 3. a kingdom

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

a country that is ruled by a monarch.

For teachers: the territorial realm or state over which a monarch exercises authority.

- The ancient monarchy stretched across several modern-day borders.
- Historians have mapped the expansion of the monarchy during the twelfth century, noting the strategic importance of its coastal territories.

## Examples

- The country changed from a monarchy to a republic.
- In a constitutional monarchy, the king or queen acts as a symbolic figurehead while elected officials make the laws.
- The transition from an absolute monarchy to a parliamentary system often involves a gradual shift of legislative power from the crown to an elected assembly.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.