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”; see mon-, -arch

Explanation

If you think the Queen of England is just the coolest thing ever, then you like monarchs: hereditary rulers of countries usually known as king or queen. You might think your principal rules with absolute power, but that's not really true: there's a school board and an administration and she can't really control everything. But a monarch can. Monarch comes from the Greek mono, "one," and archon, "ruler." Many modern monarchies actually have parliaments and constitutions, leaving the monarch more symbolic than powerful. A monarch is also a particularly royal looking butterfly with orange wings and black and white spots.

Example Sentences

The company describes the project, known as Monarch Compute Campus, as one of the largest AI computing installations in the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

“The nearly 12,000-square-foot flat lot backs to Monarch Bay’s private park with direct gated access, providing a perfect canvas for a resort-style backyard with pool, spa, and custom amenities,” the listing states.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 4, 2026

"There are plenty of projects we can't really reveal," he told AFP, but confirmed the studio will be working on the Marvel blockbuster "Avengers: Doomsday" and the second season of "Monarch."

From Barron's • Jan. 31, 2026

The speech is written by the government but read by the Monarch from a throne in the House of Lords.

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025

Yes, he did look rather gallant; a bit like the Monarch of the Glen, or the Stag at Eve.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Related Words

• emperor
• king
• queen
• sovereign