junta

American  

[hoon-tuh, juhn‑, huhn‑] / ˈhʊn tə, ˈdʒʌn‑, ˈhʌn‑ /

noun

• juntas
  plural

1. a small group ruling a country, especially immediately after a coup d'état and before a legally constituted government has been instituted.

2. a council.

3. a deliberative or administrative council, especially in Spain and Latin America.

4. junto.

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junta British  

/ ˈdʒʊntə, ˈhʊntə, ˈdʒʌn- /

noun

1. a group of military officers holding the power in a country, esp after a coup d'état

2. Also called: junto.  a small group of men; cabal, faction, or clique

3. a legislative or executive council in some parts of Latin America

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junta Cultural  

1. A group of military leaders who govern a country after a coup d'état.

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Pronunciation

When the word junta was borrowed into English from Spanish in the early 17th century, its pronunciation was thoroughly Anglicized to . The 20th century has seen the emergence and, especially in North America, the gradual predominance of the pronunciation , derived from Spanish through reassociation with the word's Spanish origins. A hybrid form is also heard.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• juntas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of junta

1615–25; < Spanish: a meeting, noun use of feminine of Latin junctus, past participle of jungere to join; see junction

Explanation

When a government is overthrown, the coalition or group that forms and takes control is called a junta. If the military has seized control, as so often happens, then the group is called a military junta. Junta is pronounced with an initial h sound, which gives you a clue to its origins. It’s from the Spanish junta, for a military or political group ruling the country after it has been taken over. Spanish got junta from the Latin jungere, to join. Remember, all the players in the junta must join together to overthrow the government.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

junta juntas

Werb argued that the mutiny was the consequence of a worsening security landscape in Niger, with the junta having failed to quell a deadly, long-running jihadist insurgency.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

Mali's military junta has suffered several battlefield setbacks in recent weeks.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

There were former members of the people's defence forces which have been fighting against the junta.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

Argentina, ruled at the time by a military junta led by General Leopoldo Galtieri, invaded the islands, situated 300 miles off Argentina's east coast, in 1982.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026

Farmer was hoping Aristide would openly challenge the junta by running for president.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Benin officials suspect Tigri, Samary and the sergeant have found shelter with one of the neighboring military juntas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026

He now has to do business with neighbours led by hostile military juntas -- notably in Burkina Faso -- which are battling jihadists.

From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2025

Ruled by military juntas, both countries have ended the presence of Western troops, particularly French forces, over recent years.

From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2025

Negotiations between Ecowas and the juntas have taken place since then - but have failed.

From BBC ● Jan. 29, 2025

He had not only to fight Napoleon’s veterans, but also to hold in check the Spanish juntas and the Portuguese regency. 

From Self help; with illustrations of conduct and perseverance by Samuel Smiles

Related Words

• faction
• government