-crat

1. a combining form meaning “ruler,” “member of a ruling body,” “advocate of a particular form of rule,” used in the formation of compound words.

   autocrat; technocrat.

-crat

combining form

1. indicating a person who takes part in or is a member of a form of government or class See also -cracy

   democrat

   technocrat

Other Word Forms

• -cratic combining form

Word History and Origins

Origin of -crat¹

< Greek -kratēs as in autokratḗs autocrat; replacing -crate < French < Greek, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of -crat¹

from Greek -kratēs, from -kratia _-cracy

Example Sentences

But on day eight, once it was clear that she had cleared the bar and was moving on to the “ ’crat chat” phase, Tamzin and her mom celebrated by going to the beach.

Read more on Slate

“Lord, we need passion and excitement,” said state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, a prominent Demo­crat in South Carolina, one of the early-voting states in the race for the nomination.

Read more on Washington Post

In late 2007, after that effort foundered, Representative Xavier Becerra, a Los Angeles Demo­crat, approached Representative Sam Johnson, a Republican from the northern suburbs of Dallas.

Read more on New York Times

Rendered incoherent, Abbi was only able to muster a nonsensical "Hello. Proud Demo. Crat. College. Aquarius. I pegged" as she shook Clinton's hand. 

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In contrast, acetylcarnitine had no effect on muscles from mice that were missing CrAT.

Read more on Science Magazine

When To Use

What does -crat mean?

The combining form -crat is used like a suffix meaning variously “ruler,” "member of a ruling body," or "advocate (supporter) of a form of rule." It is occasionally used in technical terms, especially in sociology.The form -crat ultimately comes from Greek krátos, meaning “rule” and “strength.”What are variants of -crat?While -crat doesn't have any variants, it is related to the form -cracy, as in plutocracy. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for -cracy.