oligarch

American  

[ol-i-gahrk] / ˈɒl ɪˌgɑrk /

noun

1. one of the rulers in an oligarchy.

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oligarch British  

/ ˈɒlɪˌɡɑːk /

noun

1. a member of an oligarchy

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Usage

What does oligarch mean? An oligarch is one of the select few people who rule or influence leaders in an oligarchy—a government in which power is held by a select few individuals or a small class of powerful people. Oligarchs can be the actual leaders, or they can influence or control the decisions that the leaders make (meaning they’re the ones “pulling the strings” behind the scenes). Oligarchy is never used as an official term for a form of government (like monarchy is, for example)—it’s almost always applied as a criticism of such situations. It is frequently used as a way of pointing out the influence of the wealthy and powerful in politics and government—an influence that’s typically used to benefit themselves. Oligarch is used in the same way. A country that is thought to have an oligarchic government can also be referred to as an oligarchy, as in Many outsiders view the nation as an oppressive oligarchy.  Oligarchy can also refer to the class of people who have the power in this kind of system, as in The country was run by an oligarchy consisting of a few powerful industrialists. The word oligarch can refer to a person who’s a part of an oligarchy in any of the senses of the word. The word oligarch is especially associated with and applied to Russian figures  known for their wealth and political influence. These figures are frequently called Russian oligarchs and are sometimes referred to collectively as the Russian oligarchy.  Example: Oligarchs from just three powerful families have run the country for decades, serving only their own interests.

Etymology

Origin of oligarch

First recorded in 1600–10; from Greek oligárchēs; see origin at olig-, + -arch ( def. )

Explanation

An oligarch is one of the rulers in an oligarchy, which is a small group of people who are in power. The word oligarch has Greek roots, and comes from oligoi for "few” and arkhein "to rule." When a country is ruled by an oligarchy, power isn't in the hands of one person (like a monarchy) or the people (like a democracy) but a small group of people. An oligarch can be a member of the nobility or a wealthy person. People often say a democracy has oligarchs when rich people appear to have too much influence on a country.

Example Sentences

Sweeney's latest accounts Russian Oligarch Jets and Russian VIP & Putin Jets were both started in February of this year and have amassed over 500,000 followers combined.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2022

A Twitter account, Russian Oligarch Jets, has found viral popularity since the war began by sharing the movements of oligarchs’ suspected jets.

From Washington Post • Mar. 4, 2022

"In October 2021, Pitt heard through the news that Jolie had sold her interest to a company allegedly owned by a Russian Oligarch," Glass said.

From Fox News • Feb. 24, 2022

Oligarch Roman Abramovich, a close Putin confidante, is one of Chabad’s major funders worldwide.

From Slate • May 23, 2018

Such an argument is in my opinion convincing for all the world except for an English Tory, a French Ultra or a Bern Oligarch.

From After Waterloo: Reminiscences of European Travel 1815-1819 by Frye, Major W. E

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