dynasty

American  

[dahy-nuh-stee, din-uh-stee] / ˈdaɪ nə sti, ˈdɪn ə sti /

noun

• dynasties
  plural

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.

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dynasty British  

/ ˈdɪnəstɪ /

noun

1. a sequence of hereditary rulers

   an Egyptian dynasty

2. any sequence of powerful leaders of the same family

   the Kennedy dynasty

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• dynasties
  plural

Etymology

Origin of dynasty

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

Explanation

A dynasty is a series of leaders in the same family, like the British Royal Family, or a local business dynasty, in which four generations have made their fortune at the family store. The word dynasty, pronounced "DIE-nas-tee," comes from the Greek word dynasteia, meaning "power, lordship, sovereignty." If you are part of a dynasty, you probably do have power — and also wealth, privilege. But there is also pressure to achieve as much as your parents, grandparents, and other relatives. Another kind of dynasty is found in sports — a team that wins many championships is a dynasty.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dynasty dynasties

Following his victory, King Aegon I became the first monarch to rule Westeros from the Iron Throne and the founder of the Targaryen dynasty.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026

Designed by the winners and probably stitched by the losers, it depicts alliances and double-dealings, the slaughter of a dynasty, and the rebirth of a nation under foreign laws and a hybrid tongue.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

Relations between the Qumran sect and the ruling Hasmonean dynasty improved during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2026

The devices grabbed attention this summer after a marketing tie-up between Kylie Jenner, beauty mogul and member of the Kardashian dynasty, and tech giant Meta.

From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026

The biggest of Chan Chan’s surviving palaces may have belonged to Minchagaman—the eleventh king in the Chimor dynasty, according to one Spanish account—who reputedly conquered much of the coastline.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

The effort has drawn billionaires and Trump-linked power-brokers, the scions of Cuban-American dynasties built on sugar, and immigrants who amassed fortunes over decades in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

It is a period of time that encompasses the legendary Scot's dynasties at Aberdeen as well as United.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

INDIANAPOLIS—Modern college basketball is built to do one thing: destroy dynasties.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 3, 2026

A one-time ally of the Marcos family, the dynasties have grown apart.

From Barron's ● Feb. 20, 2026

Our archaeological knowledge of China’s emerging cities and states then becomes supplemented by written accounts of China’s first dynasties, going back to the Xia Dynasty, which arose around 2000 B.C.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• regime
• reign
• rule