monarch

American  

[mon-erk, -ahrk] / ˈmɒn ərk, -ɑrk /

noun

1. a hereditary sovereign, as a king, queen, or emperor.

2. a sole and absolute ruler of a state or nation.

3. a person or thing that holds a dominant position.

   a monarch of international shipping.

4. monarch butterfly.

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monarch British  

/ ˈmɒnək, mɒˈnɑːkəl, mɒˈnɑːkɪəl /

noun

1. a sovereign head of state, esp a king, queen, or emperor, who rules usually by hereditary right

2. a supremely powerful or pre-eminent person or thing

3. Also called: milkweed.  a large migratory butterfly, Danaus plexippus, that has orange-and-black wings and feeds on the milkweed plant: family Danaidae

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Other Word Forms

• antimonarch adjective
• monarchal adjective
• monarchally adverb
• monarchical adjective
• monarchically adverb
• monarchism noun
• monarchist noun
• monarchistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of monarch

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French monarche, monarch, from Late Latin monarcha, from Greek mónarchos “sole ruler, monarch”; mon-, -arch

Example Sentences

The UK monarch held an audience with Sharaa on Tuesday afternoon, Buckingham Palace said.

From Barron's

On a professional level, as a constitutional monarch, it is not his job to judge but to support the UK government.

From BBC

Working with other volunteers, Smee has helped remove invasive plants and plant native species, including 30 oak trees that attract local wildlife like the endangered monarch butterfly, mountain lions and bobcats.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s been the case, going back to the ancients, that monarchs and despots use this method to ensure their subjects understand they hold complete power and control the money supply.

From Salon

In the afternoon, the activists rallied outside the conference centre, waving Iranian lion-and-sun flags from the Shah's time as monarch.

From BBC

Related Words

• emperor
• king
• queen
• sovereign