dynasty

[dahy-nuh-stee, din-uh-stee]

noun

plural

dynasties 

1. a sequence of rulers from the same family, stock, or group.

   the Ming dynasty.

2. the rule of such a sequence.

3. a series of members of a family who are distinguished for their success, wealth, etc.

dynasty

/ dɪˈnæstɪk, ˈdɪnəstɪ /

noun

1. a sequence of hereditary rulers

   an Egyptian dynasty

2. any sequence of powerful leaders of the same family

   the Kennedy dynasty

Other Word Forms

• dynastic adjective
• dynastical adjective
• antidynasty adjective
• dynastically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dynasty¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin dynastīa, from Greek dynasteia; dynast, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of dynasty¹

C15: via Late Latin from Greek dunasteia, from dunastēs _dynast

Example Sentences

He is part of a political dynasty from southeastern Los Angeles County that’s held power in Sacramento for decades.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Now, Knight is betting on another dynasty, one rooted in brewing, wealth and legacy.

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The rich man in “If I Were a Rich Man” was translated as a variant of Rothschild, the name of a well-known European Jewish banking dynasty.

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Karki was born in a family with close contacts with the Koirala political dynasty from the country's largest democratic party Nepali Congress, and later married the then leader party Durga Subedi.

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Thailand's top court has ruled that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a year in jail, in yet another blow to the influential political dynasty.

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Related Words

• regime 
• reign 
• rule