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  

/ 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

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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

Ying pleaded guilty to a single count of stealing a 17th century manuscript dating from China’s Qing dynasty.

From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026

But if this really is a “natural direction” for the beloved gaming dynasty, the fans certainly aren’t taking it as such.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026

During the Lakers’ dynasty we had championship teams.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2026

Respectively done on English paper and Indian cotton, each combines techniques from Qing dynasty bird-and-flower painting, Mughal court art and European natural-history studies, not to mention pigments from England, China and India.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026

For almost all the leading members of the Virginia dynasty, the answer was clear and negative.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

It also helps that he has ties to other Bay Area dynasties that have quietly influenced city life for decades.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 30, 2026

As part of dynasties at Manchester City and Liverpool, he won three Premier League titles, one Champions League, two FA Cups and one League Cup, as well as other honours.

From BBC ● Mar. 21, 2026

Long overshadowed by his parents and heir to one of Bangladesh's most powerful political dynasties, the country's new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has finally stepped into the spotlight.

From Barron's ● Feb. 17, 2026

He added: "The Mitchells remain one of EastEnders' defining dynasties, and we can't wait to see them reunited again. As always when Grant is around, drama inevitably follows him…".

From BBC ● Feb. 14, 2026

A few thousand years ago, the idea developed that the motions of the planets determined the fates of kings, dynasties, empires.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• regime
• reign
• rule