theocracy

American  

[thee-ok-ruh-see] / θiˈɒk rə si /

noun

plural

theocracies

1. a form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, the God's or deity's laws being interpreted by the ecclesiastical authorities.

2. a system of government by priests claiming a divine commission.

3. a commonwealth or state under such a form or system of government.

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theocracy British  

/ θɪˈɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. government by a deity or by a priesthood

2. a community or political unit under such government

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theocracy Cultural  

1. A nation or state in which the clergy exercise political power and in which religious law is dominant over civil law. Iran led by the Ayatollah Khomeini was a theocracy under the Islamic clergy. (See Islam.)

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Other Word Forms

• theocrat noun
• theocratic adjective
• theocratical adjective
• theocratically adverb

Etymology

Origin of theocracy

From the Greek word theokratía, dating back to 1615–25; theo-, -cracy

Example Sentences

The elimination of so many Iranian VIPs since last June’s 12-day war has diminished the theocracy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Iran’s government is an explicit theocracy with the ayatollah, the supreme leader, maintaining both a religious and political role.

From Salon

She added that her family was happy, but that they expected the collapse of the theocracy to take a longer time.

From Los Angeles Times

Of these culturally Muslim, rural working classes often credited with wanting a theocracy, my mother says “they just wanted someone to give them their rights. The only thing that united them was basic human needs.”

From The Wall Street Journal

But I also don’t think it’s going to be a theocracy anymore.

From Salon