democracy

[dih-mok-ruh-see]

noun

plural

democracies 

1. government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.

2. a state having such a form of government.

   The United States and Canada are democracies.

3. a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges.

4. political or social equality; democratic spirit.

5. the common people of a community as distinguished from any privileged class; the common people with respect to their political power.

democracy

/ dɪˈmɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. government by the people or their elected representatives

2. a political or social unit governed ultimately by all its members

3. the practice or spirit of social equality

4. a social condition of classlessness and equality

5. the common people, esp as a political force

democracy

1. A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Democratic institutions, such as parliaments, may exist in a monarchy. Such constitutional monarchies as Britain, Canada, and Sweden are generally counted as democracies in practice.

Other Word Forms

• antidemocracy noun
• nondemocracy noun
• predemocracy noun
• prodemocracy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of democracy¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French démocratie, from Late Latin dēmocratia, from Greek dēmokratía “popular government,” equivalent to dēmo- demo- + -kratia -cracy

Word History and Origins

Origin of democracy¹

C16: from French démocratie, from Late Latin dēmocratia, from Greek dēmokratia government by the people; see _demo- , _-cracy

Example Sentences

She hopes through the help of him, the US, other nations in Latin America and "democratic nations of the world", Venezuela will "achieve freedom and democracy."

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Announcing the recipient of the prize at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo on Friday, the awarding committee warned that "democracy is in retreat" across the world.

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As a professor of law, I think Comey’s indictment is momentous because it tests a principle that has protected American democracy for 50 years: Presidents should not direct prosecutors to charge their political enemies.

Read more on Salon

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work promoting democracy and fighting dictatorship in the country.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In an address on national television following the vote, Boluarte questioned the implications it would have on the stability of Peru's democracy.

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Related Words

• equality 
• freedom 
• justice 

When To Use

What is democracy?

Democracy is a system of government where the citizens of a state exercise power to rule the state, either directly or through electing representatives.