aristocracy

American  

[ar-uh-stok-ruh-see] / ˌær əˈstɒk rə si /

noun

aristocracies plural

1. a class of persons holding exceptional rank and privileges, especially the hereditary nobility.

2. a government or state ruled by an aristocracy, elite, or privileged upper class.

3. government by those considered to be the best or most able people in the state.

4. a governing body composed of those considered to be the best or most able people in the state.

5. any class or group considered to be superior, as through education, ability, wealth, or social prestige.

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aristocracy British  

/ ˌærɪˈstɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. a privileged class of people usually of high birth; the nobility

2. such a class as the ruling body of a state

3. government by such a class

4. a state governed by such a class

5. a class of people considered to be outstanding in a sphere of activity

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aristocracy Cultural  

1. A privileged, primarily hereditary ruling class, or a form of government controlled by such an elite.

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Discover More

Traditionally, the disproportionate concentration of wealth, social status, and political influence in the aristocracy has been resented by the middle class and lower class.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antiaristocracy
  adjective
• proaristocracy
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• aristocracies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of aristocracy

First recorded in 1555–65; from Middle French aristocratie, from Medieval Latin aristocracia, aristocratia, from Greek aristokratía “rule of the best”; equivalent to aristo- + -cracy

Explanation

A person who's "born to rule" belongs to the ruling class, or aristocracy, and is "noble" just by being in the family line — whether they have done anything noble or not. In an aristocracy, a princess who doesn’t visit sick children or clear land mines is still a princess. "Rule of the best" or "by a privileged class" are 16th-century Latin meanings for aristocracy. There are examples of the "best" coming from ordinary society, no matter who their parents are, but often the aristocracy is made up of families who start ruling and keep the power in the family generation after generation. Kings and queens, princes and princesses, and dukes and earls, are all titles within an aristocracy, though some really hard-working and noble outsiders may earn a spot in the aristocracy too.

Example Sentences

One of the signatories on the documents was a professional polo player - apt given that Dame Jilly was known for writing about polo-playing members of the aristocracy.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

Whatever approach Xi takes, he wouldn’t be able to call upon officers with Zhang’s unique stature as a combat veteran and member of China’s red aristocracy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026

In medieval England, venison with its gamey taste was highly prized by the aristocracy.

From Barron's • Dec. 21, 2025

Most convicts had been found guilty of theft, with many being repeat offenders, but some were deported for crimes as petty as trampling on the turnips of the local aristocracy.

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2025

Adams was fully prepared to include Jefferson as a charter member of the natural aristocracy that made and then secured the American Revolution.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• elite
• gentility
• gentry
• nobility
• upper class
• upper crust