aristocracy

[ ar-uh-stok-ruh-see ]

/ ˌær əˈstɒk rə si /

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See synonyms for aristocracy on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural ar·is·toc·ra·cies.

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

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

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

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

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

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Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of aristocracy

1555–65; (<Middle French aristocratie) <Medieval Latin aristocracia (variant of -tia) <Greek aristokratía rule of the best. See aristo-, -cracy

OTHER WORDS FROM aristocracy

an·ti·ar·is·toc·ra·cy, adjective, noun, plural an·ti·ar·is·toc·ra·cies.pro·ar·is·toc·ra·cy, adjective

Words nearby aristocracy

aristate, Aristide, Aristides, Aristippus, aristo, aristocracy, aristocrat, aristocratic, aristolochiaceous, Aristophanes, Aristophanes of Byzantium

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use aristocracy in a sentence

The autoworkers at Tesla, far from representing a labor aristocracy among autoworkers, say they make less than unionized workers at GM and Ford.
Tech’s new labor movement is harnessing lessons learned a century ago|Sarah Jaffe|June 30, 2021|MIT Technology Review
However, the rapid political and social changes threatened powerful individuals and institutions, especially the monarchy, the aristocracy and the church.
The French Revolution offers a critical lesson as the U.S. returns to normal|Christine Adams|May 7, 2021|Washington Post
Perhaps the biggest giveaway that Penelope is Lady Whistledown arrives in the sixth episode, when Marina’s scandalous pregnancy — which predates her arrival in Grosvenor Square — is revealed to the aristocracy.
‘Bridgerton’ dropped several clues about Lady Whistledown’s identity. Did they add up?|Bethonie Butler|January 6, 2021|Washington Post
Undoubtedly, the enormous inherited fortunes of the aristocracy facilitated a certain eccentricity.
The Death of the English Eccentric|Tom Sykes|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The British aristocracy is littered with stories of unmitigated spendthrifts who seem bent on self-destruction.
The Secrets of Britain’s Wildest Aristocrats|Tom Sykes|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Kennedy mixed socially with leading British figures, particularly among the aristocracy, who agreed with him.
Blood and War: The Hard Truth About ‘Boots on the Ground’|Clive Irving|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Why, I wonder, is Davenport so obsessed with defining himself as part of the British aristocracy?
'Lord Fraud' Gets Out of Jail, Back Into Orgies|Tom Sykes|August 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her father was a Viscount, so Taylor married into the Catalan aristocracy.
Whit Stillman on the 20th Anniversary of ‘Barcelona’, His New Amazon Series, and the Myth of the Ugly Expat|Michael Weiss|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps, like father, I am a snob at heart and liked the sensation of a sort of artistic alliance with the British aristocracy.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
I should judge from the streets that not more than one-fourth of the females of Galway belong to the shoe-wearing aristocracy.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
I did not find the Aristocracy so remarkable for physical perfection and beauty as I had been taught to expect.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
That curious, almost ridiculous-looking craft, was among the aristocracy of shipping.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
The sale of diplomatic secrets is a brisk one in my own country, or how would so many of our poor aristocracy live?
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White

British Dictionary definitions for aristocracy

aristocracy

/ (ˌærɪˈstɒkrəsɪ) /

noun plural -cies

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

such a class as the ruling body of a state

government by such a class

a state governed by such a class

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

Word Origin for aristocracy

C16: from Late Latin aristocratia, from Greek aristokratia rule by the best-born, from aristos best; see -cracy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for aristocracy

aristocracy

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

notes for aristocracy

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

aristocracy

Origin of aristocracy

OTHER WORDS FROM aristocracy

Words nearby aristocracy

Words related to aristocracy

How to use aristocracy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for aristocracy

Word Origin for aristocracy

Cultural definitions for aristocracy

notes for aristocracy