autocracy

[ aw-tok-ruh-see ]

noun

, plural au·toc·ra·cies.

1. government in which one person has uncontrolled or unlimited authority over others; the government or power of an absolute monarch.
2. a nation, state, or community ruled by an autocrat.
3. unlimited authority, power, or influence of one person in any group.

autocracy

/ ɔːˈtɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. government by an individual with unrestricted authority
2. the unrestricted authority of such an individual
3. a country, society, etc, ruled by an autocrat

autocracy

1. A system of government in which supreme political power is held by one person. ( Compare constitutional monarchy , democracy , and oligarchy .)

Notes

Iraq under Saddam Hussein is an autocracy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of autocracy¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Greek autokráteia “power over oneself, sole power,” from autokrat(ḗs) autocrat + -eia -ia

Related Words

• despotism
• dictatorship
• oppression
• tyranny