dynasty

[dahy-nuh-stee, din-uh-stee]

noun

plural

dynasties 

1. a sequence of rulers from the same family, stock, or group.

   the Ming dynasty.

2. the rule of such a sequence.

3. a series of members of a family who are distinguished for their success, wealth, etc.

dynasty

/ dɪˈnæstɪk, ˈdɪnəstɪ /

noun

1. a sequence of hereditary rulers

   an Egyptian dynasty

2. any sequence of powerful leaders of the same family

   the Kennedy dynasty

Other Word Forms

• dynastic adjective
• dynastical adjective
• antidynasty adjective
• dynastically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dynasty¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin dynastīa, from Greek dynasteia; dynast, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of dynasty¹

C15: via Late Latin from Greek dunasteia, from dunastēs _dynast

Example Sentences

It is further evidence of the superpower that has Oklahoma City poised to launch basketball’s next dynasty.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

What makes dynasties last, and what makes them end, are questions that will always interest.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

After the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911, some reformers called to “build schools, smash temples.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That meant Clarke spent hours thinking about Alex’s perspective on the crumbling of his family’s legal dynasty, the investigations into his finances, the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul, and his eventual trial.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As heirs to political dynasties, both women have dominated Bangladesh politics for more than three decades and used to be known as the "battling begums".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• regime 
• reign 
• rule