dictatorship
Americannoun
-
a country, government, or the form of government in which absolute power is exercised by a dictator.
-
absolute, imperious, or overbearing power or control.
-
the office or position held by a dictator.
noun
-
the rank, office, or period of rule of a dictator
-
government by a dictator or dictators
-
a country ruled by a dictator or dictators
-
absolute or supreme power or authority
Discover More
Etymology
Origin of dictatorship
Compare meaning
How does dictatorship compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A dictatorship is a government or a social situation where one person makes all the rules and decisions without input from anyone else. Dictatorship implies absolute power — one person who takes control — of a political situation, a family, a classroom or even a camping expedition. In government, a dictatorship leaves no room for input from anyone who is not the top guy or gal. The noun comes from the late 14th century Latin word, dictare, which means to "repeat or say often." In a dictatorship, one person keeps repeating the same command: "My way or the highway."
Vocabulary lists containing dictatorship
You Can Say That Again: Dic and Dict
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Ancient Rome - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
President Trump's First Address to the United Nations General Assembly (2017)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The tradition languished through civil war and dictatorship but came back as Spain returned to democracy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
In almost every movie about life under a dictatorship, there is a scene where the security services order someone to “show me your papers.”
From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026
Merz replied that Germans owed a debt to Americans as in the long run "this was the liberation of my country from Nazi dictatorship."
From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026
“This new republic had more continuity than novelty, since many politicians who were central to the dictatorship moved to central roles in the democratic government,” explains Gasparotto.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026
“The Byrd Machine is the most urbane and genteel dictatorship in America,” wrote journalist John Gunther in his 1947 bestselling book Inside USA.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
